Page 74 - Meeting with Children Book

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WHAT IS MEANT BY ATTACHMENT?

AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Attachment is viewed as one component of a
parent/child relationship. It is viewed as a biological
behavioral system that is innately driven. It is
considered a seeking behavior where an infant or child
seeks proximity or closeness with a specific identified
caregiver, or in some cases, caregivers. Different to
that of having a “close relationship” with someone,
the seeking behavior occurs as an innate survival
strategy when an infant or child feels afraid, ill (or
hurt), or in danger. It is a built-in safety, protection
and security system in all human beings. The
attachment system is positively influenced by a child
signaling to a caregiver, and in kind, the caregiver
sensitively (and in a timely way) responding back to
the infant or child. The goal of gaining proximity
through appropriate responding between the child
and caregiver completes the attachment sequence
and a sense of security and equilibrium is regained.

Typically, there is a preferred person(s) a child will go
to have this survival need met (when there is a choice
between caregivers). This means that not all
caregivers may fulfil the role of an attachment figure,
particularly a secure attachment figure. Moreover,
there may be a primary and secondary attachment
figure, or two primary caregiver figures that are
available for different things at different times. The