ATTACHMENTS builds the foundation
In 1975, Dr. Ed Tronick and his colleagues presented the "still face experiment". What they learned is key for all of us to know regarding our interactions with children. The study showed that very young infants already have several basic building blocks of social cognition in place. 1) They are able to recognize the relationship between facial expression and emotion, 2) They're able to regulate their own affect and attention to some extent.
During the experiment, when the caregiver's face was still, the infants' response was very complex. The infant showed subtle facial cues such as dampened smiles, yawns, and sideways glances at the mother. The infants' attempts to re-engage with their caregivers during the still face portion, suggested they are able to plan and execute simple goal-directed behaviors. The experiment shows how early interactions between infants and caregivers may predict later social-emotional variables. For example, how the caregivers baseline sensitivity and interactive style, affect the infants' later attachment classification at age 1, internalizing (e.g. depression, anxiety) and externalizing (e.g. aggression, impulsivity) behaviors at 18 months, and behavior problems at age 3. Watch the experiment below.
Adamson, L., & Frick, J. (2003). The Still Face: A History of a Shared Experimental Paradigm Infancy, 4 (4), 451-473 DOI: 10.1207/S15327078IN0404_01
During the experiment, when the caregiver's face was still, the infants' response was very complex. The infant showed subtle facial cues such as dampened smiles, yawns, and sideways glances at the mother. The infants' attempts to re-engage with their caregivers during the still face portion, suggested they are able to plan and execute simple goal-directed behaviors. The experiment shows how early interactions between infants and caregivers may predict later social-emotional variables. For example, how the caregivers baseline sensitivity and interactive style, affect the infants' later attachment classification at age 1, internalizing (e.g. depression, anxiety) and externalizing (e.g. aggression, impulsivity) behaviors at 18 months, and behavior problems at age 3. Watch the experiment below.
Adamson, L., & Frick, J. (2003). The Still Face: A History of a Shared Experimental Paradigm Infancy, 4 (4), 451-473 DOI: 10.1207/S15327078IN0404_01
John Bowlby defined attachment as a "lasting psychological connectedness between human beings" (1969).
Secure attachment is built through the interaction between caregivers and infants and creates the FOUNDATION for their social and emotional well-being. Social interaction stimulates the brain, eye contact promotes bonding and the release of oxytocin, and infants learn their behavior has an impact on the world.
Research by Dr. John Gottman, shows a ratio of 5 positive interactions to 1 negative interaction builds connection.
(If you're not sure what your ratio is, start tracking it today).
Secure attachment is built through the interaction between caregivers and infants and creates the FOUNDATION for their social and emotional well-being. Social interaction stimulates the brain, eye contact promotes bonding and the release of oxytocin, and infants learn their behavior has an impact on the world.
Research by Dr. John Gottman, shows a ratio of 5 positive interactions to 1 negative interaction builds connection.
(If you're not sure what your ratio is, start tracking it today).
Turning Toward
Relationship expert, Dr. John Gottman suggests we have 3 ways to respond in every interaction. When someone makes a "bid for connection,"(meaning they attempt to gain our attention), we can choose to:
Couples who divorced, averaged turning toward only 33% of the time.
Research shows the secret is turning towards.
For parents this is especially important because our interactions with our children when they are young will shape their attachment style. Their attachment style will be replicated in every relationship they have throughout their lives.
Relationship expert, Dr. John Gottman suggests we have 3 ways to respond in every interaction. When someone makes a "bid for connection,"(meaning they attempt to gain our attention), we can choose to:
- Turn toward: we stop what we're doing, make eye contact and interact with the person, e.g. "Wow! That is so neat. How did you do that?"
- Turn away: we passively acknowledge the person without making eye contact and keep doing what we're doing, e.g. nod and say, "Oh cool, that's neat...uh huh..."
- Turn against: we react with anger for being interrupted, e.g. "Can't you see I'm busy right now?!"
Couples who divorced, averaged turning toward only 33% of the time.
Research shows the secret is turning towards.
For parents this is especially important because our interactions with our children when they are young will shape their attachment style. Their attachment style will be replicated in every relationship they have throughout their lives.