Caregiver Infant interactions

• Attachment

  When two people develop long and lasting emotional bonds, in this case the infant and their caregiver. Both the infant and caregiver seek closeness to each other and feel secure when close to their attachment figure.
• Reciprocity

  A mutual turn-taking form of interaction, like a conversation with each person playing close attention and responding to the other's signals and cues.
• Interactional synchrony

  Simultaneous interaction where the infant and caregiver act at the same time, appearing coordinated with matching behavior and emotional states.
• Sensitive responsiveness

  The caregiver carefully paying attention to the infant's communication and responding appropriately, such as comforting, feeding or changing the infant depending on what they are trying to communicate.
• Child-directed speech

  A sing-song voice with variable tone, used to keep the infant's attention, also known as motherese or infant-directed speech.
• Bodily contact, including breastfeeding, is seen as vital for developing an attachment.
• Stages of attachment identified by Schaffer

  • Stage 1 (birth to 6 weeks) - Asocial stage, infants display behaviors like crying and smiling to any caregiver
  • Stage 2 (6 weeks to 7 months) - Indiscriminate attachment, infants can tell difference between familiar and unfamiliar adults but don't show separation or stranger anxiety
  • Stage 3 (5-9 months) - Specific attachment, infants form strong connection to primary caregiver, show separation and stranger anxiety
  • Stage 4 (9-10 months) - Multiple attachment, infants develop attachments to other caregivers like fathers, stranger anxiety decreases
• Role of the father

  • Initially not as important as the mother, but by 18 months 75% of infants had developed attachment to the father
  • Fathers tend to provide more active play activities, encouraging risk-taking behavior, while mothers provide more sensitive, responsive care
  • When fathers are the primary caregiver, they adapt their style to be more sensitive and responsive like mothers