Introduction to Attachment (02:16)

FREE PREVIEW

Dr. P.O. Svanberg explains the importance of early bonds between babies and caregivers. This film will follow babies as they develop secure attachments.

Birth to Six Weeks: Pre-Attachment (03:51)

John Bowlby proposed that infants keep their caregiver close for survival. Newborns communicate their needs through crying; parents respond sensitively to begin the attachment process. Inbuilt social behaviors include clinging, watching faces, eye contact, smiling, and eliciting parent reactions.

Six Weeks to Eight Months: Attachment in the Making (06:31)

Mothers respond sensitively to baby signals; mindfulness encourages emotional regulation. Signals are either distress indications or wanting to interact. At five months, Lila prefers her mother but allows strangers to pick her up. Babies can develop secondary attachment relationships in daycare settings.

Eight Months to Two Years: Attachment Behavior (05:05)

At nine months, Lila shows separation anxiety and develops object permanence. At sixteen months, she is securely attached—important in helping her language development.

Understanding Attachment Types (04:20)

Approximately 60% of children are securely attached. Svanberg defines avoidance and anxiously ambivalent forms of attachment. Hear how the "strange situation" assessment identifies the quality of attachment relationships.

Lila's Secure Attachments (02:27)

Lila is happy to see her father when he picks her up; she has several attachment figures in a hierarchy. She feels confident exploring with her mother nearby. Bowlby believed quality of early attachment affects emotional stability in adulthood.

Two Years and Onward: Increasing Independence (05:46)

Increased cognitive, motor and language skills give children more control. Conflicts are challenging to attachment relationships; caregivers must be sensitive and loving but consistent. Svanberg explains that toddlers are strong-willed to gain independence; parents use praise to shape child behavior.

Negotiating (04:40)

Negotiation becomes essential to the attachment relationship during toddler years. Parents should have a clear idea of what children can and cannot do. See Katrina negotiate with Seb during a shopping trip and when dropping him off at daycare.

Transitions (05:21)

Rona brings Fifi to daycare; he feels secure enough to explore on his own. Securely attached children have positive self-beliefs, begin to understand that their caregivers also have needs, and develop positive social relationships. With support, insecurely attached children can achieve positive developmental pathways.

Credits: Attachment in Practice: Birth to Three Years (00:60)

Credits: Attachment in Practice: Birth to Three Years