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Social & Emotional Development
Developing Trust & Emotional Security
WiseTip: SE-TRU-M1626-G01A

Talk with your toddler about where you are going and when you will return.

16-26 months
Caregiving
WHY IT MATTERS

Having consistent caregivers, especially in the early years (before three years old) helps the child develop

secure attachments

Secure Attachment - The infants use the parent as a secure base. When separated, they may or may not cry, but if they do, it is because the parent is absent, and they prefer her to the stranger. When the parent returns, they actively seek contact, and their crying is reduced immediately.1

1. Berk, L. E. (2013). Child development (9th ed.). New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education.

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1
  1. McMullen, M. (2017). Continuity of care with infants & toddlers: Identifying benefits and addressing common concerns. Child Care Exchange.
 Frequent disruptions in care and multiple disruptions in caregiving arrangements within a day can undermine children’s ability to establish secure expectations about whether and how their needs will be met.
2, 3

  1. Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2016). From Best Practices to Breakthrough Impacts: A Science-Based Approach to Building a More Promising Future for Young Children and Families. Retrieved from www.developingchild.harvard.edu.

  2. deSchipper, J., van IJzendoorn, M., & Tavecchio, L. (2004). Stability in centre day care: Relations with children’s well-being and problem behaviour in day care. Social Development, 13, 531-550. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9507.2004.00282.x

Studies in Singapore as well as abroad have shown that while attachments to their parents are primary, young children can also benefit significantly from relationships with other responsive caregivers both within and outside the family. It is more important to have consistent caregiving arrangements from caregivers who are responsive to the children’s cues and needs, as this helps to ensure that the child develops more secure attachments and a better temperament.

2, 4, 5, 6

  1. Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University (2016). From Best Practices to Breakthrough Impacts: A Science-Based Approach to Building a More Promising Future for Young Children and Families. Retrieved from www.developingchild.harvard.edu.

  2. Chan, Q.R., Lim, R., Yap, G., Elliot, J.M., Tan, S.H., Shu, M., Khoo, P.C. (2010). The infancy study: the impact of caregiving arrangements on early childhood development. Research Monograph No 12, Singapore Children’s Society.

  3. Ebbeck, M., Phoon, D. M., Tan-Chong, E. C., Tan, M. A., & Goh, M. L. (2015). A research study on secure attachment using the primary caregiving approach. Early Childhood Education Journal, 43(3), 233–240. doi:10.1007/s10643-014-0647-4

  4. Goossens, F., & Van IJzendoorn, M. (1990). Quality of Infants' Attachments to Professional Caregivers: Relation to Infant-Parent Attachment and Day-Care Characteristics. Child Development, 61(3), 832-837. doi:10.2307/1130967

For example, a study by Ebbeck et al (2015) showed that having primary caregivers present when transitioning a child to another caregiver helped to keep the attachments secure when changing caregivers.
5
  1. Ebbeck, M., Phoon, D. M., Tan-Chong, E. C., Tan, M. A., & Goh, M. L. (2015). A research study on secure attachment using the primary caregiving approach. Early Childhood Education Journal, 43(3), 233–240. doi:10.1007/s10643-014-0647-4

Holding and talking with the child is a form of contingent communication where parents pay attention to what children are trying to communicate and respond positively and consistently. This mode of communication creates a secure environment where children learn to trust that they have someone to depend on in case of need. When early attachment relationships are mainly warm, positive and consistent, children feel safe with their caregivers, who become a "secure base" for them. As such, children feel free and confident to explore and interact with the world.

7, 8, 9, 10

  1. Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. New York, NY: Basic Books.

  2. Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J., van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Juffer, F. (2003). Less is more: Meta-analyses of sensitivity and attachment interventions in early childhood. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 195–215.

  3. Landry SH, Smith KE, Swank PR. (2006). Responsive parenting: Establishing early foundations for social, communication, and independent problem-solving skills. Developmental Psychology., 42:627–642.

  4. Barnas, M. V., & Cummings, E. M. (1994). Caregiver stability and toddlers’ attachment related behaviour towards caregivers in day care. Infant Behaviour and Development, 17, 141-147.