Rethinking attachment: fostering positive relationships between infants, toddlers and their primary caregivers

Using relationships as a tool: early childhood educators’ perspectives of the child–caregiver relationship in a childcare setting

“…Previous research has utilised quantitative methods to explore quality of care (Albers et al, 2007;Degotardi, 2010;McMullen, 1999;McMullen et al, 2006) and qualitative methods to explore the perspectives of ECEs and parents on the primary caregiver system (Drugli & Undheim, 2012;Ebbeck & Yim, 2009). Research has also focused on particular activities in the centres, such as bedtime, mealtimes, dressing and play (Albers et al, 2007;Degotardi, 2010).…”

“…ECEs can provide learning experiences, encourage appropriate development and can be emotionally available for the child in care (Albers et al, 2007;Degotardi, 2010;Ebbeck & Yim, 2009;Margetts, 2005;Nyland, 2004). Research has shown that there is a link between good quality childcare relationships and facilitated speech and language and cognitive development.…”

“…Research has also focused on particular activities in the centres, such as bedtime, mealtimes, dressing and play (Albers et al, 2007;Degotardi, 2010). Many studies suggest that further research into ECE relationships with children and their families should investigate both perspectives and beliefs of ECEs and triangulate this with observation data during time in the centre with the child and ECEs (Drugli & Undheim, 2012;Ebbeck & Yim, 2009;Nyland, 2004). Cherrington (2013) utilised video recorded episodes of interactions in three early childhood centres to facilitate ECEs' reflection on their practices.…”

“…For optimal developmental outcomes, children need to be in the care of warm, responsive carers who attend to their needs (Albers et al, 2007;Drugli & Undheim, 2012;Ebbeck & Yim, 2009). Albers and colleagues (2007) explored the interactions between infants and their caregivers across a three month period in childcare centres in the Netherlands.…”

The effects of emotional awareness training on teachers’ ability to manage the emotions of preschool children: An experimental study

“…These everyday interactions are recognised by teachers as particularly important in the development of healthy relationships within the Early Childhood Education (ECE) classrooms. Ebbeck and Yim (2009) have found that teachers recognised that spending quality time with young children by being emotionally available and responsive was the most important approach to foster a secure attachment in early childhood centres. Interestingly, attachment research has found that the best predictor for a child to develop a secure attachment is the caregiver's capacity of self-awareness (Siegel & Hartzell, 2003).…”