Attachment refers to the bond between someone who needs care to their caregiver. Attachment in its simplest form is about survival but can also help babies to feel secure, and develop in a healthy way, both physically and emotionally.
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Attachment and fostering
What is attachment?
Young children are born with an instinct to seek out and form attachments with the caregivers around them to help receive comfort and protection. They might do this by behaving in a certain way i.e. by crying, suckling, smiling, or clinging to the person caring for them. These actions are designed to make the caregiver react, so may prompt them to offer comfort, feed, or attend to the baby’s other needs.
Children who experience this are likely to grow up feeling safe, secure, and happy to explore and emotionally develop. The first two years are particularly important, as until the age of two normal parental bonding forges neural pathways in the brain and provides the basis for social behaviour that will be carried on through life. The security of a strong bond or attachment helps the child to build trust in those around them and to form new relationships with confidence.
