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he power of "love": Why is the attachment relationship so important to a child's life
Attachment refers to the deep emotional connection between people, especially the relationship between parents and children. The establishment of this kind of emotion is the cornerstone of children's social and emotional development. According to psychological research, these relationships have an immeasurable impact on children's emotional understanding, self-identity and future interpersonal interactions.
"Love is a basic need, just like food and water. Without love, a child's overall development will be hindered."
During early development, attachment relationships develop through several stages. John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth first proposed the attachment theory, pointing out that the structure and function of attachment is not only an expression of emotion, but also a necessary condition for human survival. This theory emphasizes that the strong emotional connection between infants and their primary caregivers helps them explore the world and cope with unfamiliar situations.
Attachment relationships can be divided into secure attachment and insecure attachment. Securely attached children are more confident in exploring new environments, knowing they can always return to their caregivers for support. Children who are insecurely attached may experience challenges with emotion regulation that may continue to affect their behavior in future social interactions.
The correlation between language ability and emotion regulation ability is also very obvious. When our children face delays in language development, social-emotional development can also be affected. Many mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can be understood from the perspective of social-emotional development, especially difficulties with emotion regulation.
“Studies have shown that early attachment experiences can predict children’s social skills, emotional adaptation, and ability to cope with difficulties.”
As children grow older, their emotional experience and understanding of other people's emotions continue to grow. Early on, children check their caregivers’ emotional responses to understand their own feelings, which is called social referencing. For example, when a child sees a potential threat in a new environment, he or she will observe the parent's reaction to decide whether to enter that environment.
Empathy is one of the important indicators of a child's emotional maturity. As children grow older, they become more sensitive to the feelings of others and will proactively try to help others with small actions, such as offering comfort or sharing a toy. Such behavior not only demonstrates an understanding of other people's emotions, but also their need and desire for social interaction.
As early childhood progresses, children's self-concept and gender identity develop. During this process, children begin to become aware of their gender and society's expectations of gender. Through games and imitation, they not only learn basic gender roles but also begin to form an understanding of themselves.
“Play is an important way for children to learn and develop. Through social interaction, they practice cooperation and conflict resolution skills.”
Play is considered central to child development. During early childhood, as cooperative play grows, children learn how to resolve conflicts and adapt to various social situations during social interactions. Such skills are crucial in future interpersonal relationships, helping them adjust to school life and build deep relationships.
During middle childhood, children's self-identification increases and they begin to make social comparisons, which make them aware not only of their own characteristics but also of the differences between them and others. This can affect their self-esteem and confidence, which in turn affects how they form friendships and social connections.
Attachment relationships are the cornerstone of emotional development. They not only affect children's current development, but also have a profound impact on their future mental health and interpersonal relationships. How children learn and grow in attachment relationships paves the way for greater challenges in the future. Therefore, adults around them, whether parents, teachers or other caregivers, should be aware of their important role in children's attachment development. Think about whether you are being a positive supporter in your child's development so that they can thrive in this challenging world.
