Building an attachment – happy faces and fun!

Forming a secure attachment with your baby is a major support during their early development. Building relationships with caretakers in the early stages of life helps children develop their confidence, as well skills across all areas of learning.[1] 

Encouraging your little social butterfly

One way that you can help form a secure attachment with your baby is by sharing talk, play and laughter with them from an early age. Social interaction is vital for your children, as is communicating with them, considering your tone of voice, softness of touch and body language when you do so.^[2] 

Share a giggle

Using touch and positive body language, such as smiles and funny faces, with your baby can help to develop closeness between you both. As your baby grows older, you could use toys, books and props as a jumping off point for communication and play, or even a simple game of peek-a-boo. 

References: 

[1] Bowlby J. (1969). Attachment. Attachment and loss: Vol. 1. Loss. New York: Basic Books. 

[2] Lawrence Robinson, Joanna Saisan, M.S.W., Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D.. (2020). Building a Secure Attachment Bond with Your Baby. Available: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/parenting-family/building-a-secure-attachment-bond-with-your-baby.htm.