Introduction

• Attachment

  An emotional bond between the infant and primary caregiver
• Infants form attachments because they are physically helpless and are reliant on others to survive. It is innate for them to form attachments and it provides short-term security and survival.
• There are three main characteristics of attachment; proximity, separation anxiety and secure base behaviour
• To form attachments, infants use social releasers which are behaviours that encourage a response from the caregiver such as crying and smiling. Caregivers should react with sensitive responsiveness which is when parents respond appropriately to these social releasers.