Concept and Nature of Attachment - Importance of Attachment to Child Development

Attachment means the strong emotional bond between a child and their mother or close family members. This bond helps the child develop trust, confidence, and a sense of security.

• Attachment gives the child strength of mind and a feeling of safety.
• When a child feels secure, they explore and learn more easily.
• Good attachment helps a child become independent and confident.

• Attachment to friends or playmates is also very important.
• Studies with monkeys show that those without peers don’t learn typical social skills and may become aggressive.
• Monkeys separated from their moms but allowed to play with age-mates learned normal social skills.
• Human children in day-care or with babysitters who are also with other kids develop social and emotional skills by playing, talking, and eating together.

• Different social groups and organizations influence how children form attachments.
• In cities and modern societies, many working mothers leave their children at day care, where children make attachments to other kids.
• These attachments also help children grow normally.

• Attachment to mother, family, and friends keeps children emotionally and socially strong.
• Secure attachment is linked to courage, self-confidence, and independence.
• Lack of attachment can lead to fear and poor social skills.
• Playing with friends helps children develop needed social behaviour.