child caregiver attachment[1]

8/3/2019 Child Caregiver Attachment[1]

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May 2010


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Education: Early Childhood Education Algonquin College Psychology Carleton University MA Education University of Sherbrooke

Practice: 25+ years in early learning, child care, family

support and community-based social serviceprograms.

Faculty at Heritage College Mother of two teenagers. Avid gardener


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Home Child Care Provider: Challenges Faced Caregivers often struggle to articulate thedifficulties of their work

There is a general lack of understanding aboutthe nature of caregiving.

Over the years, I have heard people dismiss the

work as "babysitting or undervaluing thedifficulties of the work by simply saying needslots of patience."


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These comments and attitudes prevent thegeneral public from appreciating thecomplexity of the work.

The real work of caregivers is obscured by thepublic perception "that anyone can do it."

Caregivers may feel isolated by the lack of public comprehension of the real issues thatthey face.


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Feminist scholars and researchers have calledattention to the silence that typicallysurrounds women's work.

Let us examine the incredible rolecaregivers make in the life of children..


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Babies, children, and adults alike need asecure base, a base of connectedness andcaring, from which to grow and develop.

As we grow older we continue to need asense of emotional connection; it is vital toacknowledge the dependence we have on

each other.


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Mary Catherine Bateson, an anthropologistinterested in children, says:

Human infants survive only if they receive loving care. The memory of that care remains as a basis for the ability to give and receive care .


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The development of healthy emotional livesfor children doesnt just happen;

It is a process that begins during the first days of life and continues to flourish through the earlyyears and beyond.


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Consists of:good self-concept and self-esteemthe ability to express and manage

feelingsthe ability to empathize with othersthe ability to negotiate and problem-solve


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What does attachment have to do withdeveloping healthy emotions in children?

What does attachment mean?


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Attachment develops out of responsiveinteractions with a primary caregiver aparent or any other long-term care provider.

When a child views a person or persons as asecure base, they are able to explore theirworld knowing that it is a relatively safe place

and that they are protected from those thingsthat may be viewed as unsafe.


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The interactions they experience with trustedpeople are; relatively consistent comforting predictable over time.

From these relationships, the child learns that:

I am understood, I am secure and safe.


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Children who, as infants, have secureattachments with their primary caregiver(s),demonstrate greater social and exploratorycompetence than do insecurely attachedchildren.


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Insecure attachment. What happens when there is no consistentpattern of positive interactions?

The childs sense of mastery iscertainly diminished.

If he has learned that his needs are notunderstood or responded to, he feels he hasno ability to impact on his world.


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The world, therefore, becomes unpredictableand chaotic and he may respond to it thatway.

It is difficult for him to learn about his ownfeelings when no one has conveyedunderstanding of them to him.

To take the next larger leap tounderstanding the feelings of othersis a monumental task.


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His self-concept is also thwarted as he learnsthat no one listens; he internalizes this tomean I am not worthy.

Children may test this theory or negativeimage of themselves over and over again byprovoking the people around them and thus

completing a circle of rejection.


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Does all this sound grim? No.not when we examine the unique position that

caregivers are in to effect change in childrens andfamilies lives.

The opportunity exists to support the developmentof positive and responsive interactions betweencaregiver and child, child and parent, and parentand caregiver.


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Some strategies - How child care providerscan assist in healthy attachment and positiveemotional growth.

These strategies can be applied to any earlychildhood environment, whether insecureattachments are suspected or not.


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Constancy of caregiver is important for everychild but particularly for those with insecureattachments.Interrupt the circle of rejection bydemonstrating that the childs anger will notdrive you away. Stay with their anger byallowing it to be vented but by containingdestructive or hurtful action.Attempt to interpret feelings. For example, Iwonder if you are feeling sad.


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Build in one-to-one time in which you playwith the child on the floor on a daily basis.Keep the environment consistent. Forexample, do no move the furniture and toys

around frequently. Always have the child sitin the same place at lunchtime.Establish sleeping, eating and bathroomroutines.

Try to stick to a daily schedule.Preview with children what routineor activity is coming up.


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Making a sequence chart of the days eventswith pictures can help concretely identifywhat is going to happen next.Prepare the children for changes in anestablished routine.Provide cozy and private spaces in the roomso children have a chance to get away from

the bustle of the playroom.Adopt supportive behaviour guidancetechniques in which feelings are addressed.


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Place pictures of the child with family membersaround the room at child level or in an accessiblebook. Take time throughout the day to commenton who is in the pictures.

Play peek-a-boo with the pictures.Comment on where parents are throughout theday and what they might be doing eg. "mommy isat work.Comment on parents missing their childrenwhen they are apart.Use toy telephones to have pretendconversations with parents.


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Ask parents to write a brief note to their childto keep in their pocket during the day, suchas eg. mommy back a 4" or I love you. Play peek-a-boo games to practise the ideaof going-away-and-coming back. Evenpreschool children enjoy this game.Make real phone calls between the child and

parent.


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Ask parents to tape record favourite storiesor songs and play them at daycare.Allow children to keep something of theirparents with them during the day, such as ascarf.Allow children to bring special toys orcomfort objects from home.


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Keep them in charge. Ask them simplecaretaking questions, like Do you want

Jimmy to wear his snow pants today?Convey the message that they are the experton their childs needs. Be sure to tell parents when children talkabout them during the day.

Make phone calls to parents to tell them thegood things.


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Be sure the parent gives the child a propergoodbye and explain how important it is fortheir child.Assure them that any upset is usuallytemporary.


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Help build excitement when the parentarrives at the end of the day.Explain to parents that lots of children havedifficulty making the transition from daycareto home.Help parents to enjoy their children.


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Invite them to sit at the play-dough tablewith their child.Any opportunity that helps you to teachthe parent how to play will benefit therelationship.


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Video ClipsMARY AINSWORTH: ATTACHMENT AND THEGROWTH OF LOVE http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-

3634664472704568591#
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3634664472704568591http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3634664472704568591http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3634664472704568591http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3634664472704568591http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3634664472704568591


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Child care providers welcome and cherishchildren unconditionally.They respect the dignity of children, parents,colleagues and others with whom theyinteract.

Remember.


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The development of healthy, happy andemotionally secure children doesnt just happen;

It is a process that begins during the first days of life and continues to flourish through the early years and beyond.

Home child care providers help build secure,happy children who grow to be caring and

responsible adults!

Keep up the great work!


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Uffelmann, S. (2009). Madame Vanier Childrens Services, London,Ontario: Supporting Childrens Attachment.

www.cccf-fcsge.ca/practice/programming/supportingattachment_en.htm
http://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/practice/programming/supportingattachment_en.htmhttp://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/practice/programming/supportingattachment_en.htmhttp://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/practice/programming/supportingattachment_en.htmhttp://www.cccf-fcsge.ca/practice/programming/supportingattachment_en.htm

child caregiver attachment[1]

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