Child Development "The Quality of the Relationship

Child Development "The quality of the relationship between parents and young children is one of the most powerful factors in a child's growth and development," (Brotherson, 2005, p. 1). Research unequivocally supports the notion that a young's child's social and emotional well-being is enhanced through the development of positive attachments, especially in the first three years of life.

It is important to research and understand the issue of attachment in early childhood because of the social factors that prevent the development of healthy attachments, including the fact that many fathers and mothers work full-time during the first three years of their child's life. Leaving children in the care of secondary caretakers has become an essential means of making ends meet for many families, and yet it might have a strong bearing on the child's eventual psychological growth and development including psychological and emotional well-being.

Consistently, research has revealed "negative associations between maternal employment during the first year of life and children's cognitive outcomes at age 3 (and later ages)," (Brooks-Gunn, Han & Waldfogel, 2003, p. 1052). Factors related to early childhood development and parental attachment are, furthermore, universal and not dependent on cultural context. The World Health Organization (2009) states, "early childhood is the most important phase for overall development throughout the lifespan" and this is true for biological and brain development as well as emotional and mental development.

A child's social and emotional well-being is enhanced through the development of positive attachments in the first three years of life. As Thompson (2001) points out, "early experiences and relationships matter," (p. 20). All theorists that have examined childhood development account for the importance of the first three years of life. Freud, for instance, emphasized the first three years of life almost to the exception of later childhood in terms of the psycho-sexual development of the infant.

Freud described infant emotional development in terms of infant sexuality, and believed that personality was formed within the first few years of life in response to maternal attachments (Davis & Clifton, n.d., p. 1). The psychoanalytic point-of-view has matured since Freud, and has encompassed a more complex view of infant and early child development. However, psychoanalytic psychology still stresses the importance of early relationships with parents and attachment theory. The psychoanalytic attachment theories are substantiated with empirical research.

For example, research reveals the infant's "need to feel secure and safe, a state that can be achieved through proximity to the major caregiver (typically the mother)," (Silverman, 1994, p. 1). The ways an infant then externalizes the attachment with the mother become its patterns of social behavior and its emotional state. As Silverman (1994) states, "These early patterns of attachment get internalized as 'working models'; the infant's patterns of attachment become habituated, generalized and then internalized as schemas," (p. 1).

Researchers working within the psychoanalytic framework also " stress the significance of mother-child interactions which organize affect regulation for the infant," (Silverman, 1994, p. 1). Thus, psychoanalytic theory shows that social behaviors and affect regulation are learned within the first three years of life. Social learning theories like those of Erikson, Bandura, and Vygotsky also support the assertion that a child's social and emotional well-being is enhanced through the development of positive attachments in the first three years of life. Erikson's theories of child development begin with early childhood and infancy. Trust vs.

mistrust is the first of Erikson's seven stages of development. Attachment, especially maternal attachment, is important during the first three years of life because it encourages the infant to develop trust that will enable healthy emotional, social, and psychological growth later in life. "The balance of trust with mistrust depends largely on the quality of maternal relationship," (Davis & Clifton, n.d., p. 1).

Vygotsky's theories of child development take into account the formation of attachments that are beyond that to the mother, showing that healthy attachments can derive from other members of the community. Children who demonstrate positive attachments early in life are better able to reach their potential as learners, and have better overall health outcomes (World Health Organization, 2009). This is true for all types of attachments and not just maternal ones.

The development of positive attachments in the first three years of life can be fostered not only through increased time spent with the mother and father but also through broader social programs. "Children benefit when national governments adopt 'family friendly' social protection policies that guarantee adequate family income, maternity benefits, financial support, and allow for parents and caregivers to devote time and attention to young children," (World Health Organization, 2009, p. 1).

Empirical research shows that the development of nonmaternal attachments during the first three years of life is important for a child's psycho-social development. However, Belsky & Rovine (1988) point out that the quality of childcare the infant and toddler receives has a strong bearing on successful emotional development. Therefore, it is important for researchers to understand the variables that create positive infant and toddler experiences in childcare, to inform childcare policies and programs.

The results of insecure attachments developed in early childhood before the age of three years include negative emotions and aggressive behaviors. Theories of social learning and behavior highlight the ways infants can stagnate at early stages of life if insufficient attachments, especially with parents, are developed. Malatesta, Culver, Tesman & Shepard (1989) found "insecurely attached children can be characterized as showing inhibited anger expression," (p. 1). If a child does not develop healthy attachments early in life, several physical and behavioral results may be observed.

There are several variables that are impacted by parental attachments, including " the growth of the body (size and coordination), the growth of the mind (language and problem-solving abilities), and the growth of the person (emotional and social mastery)," (Thompson, 2001, p. 20). These findings are in accordance with the theories of Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky, and other early child development researchers. Regardless of the cultural context, the first three years of life are the most important for informing emotional and social well-being.

Research on early childhood development is rooted in psychological theories, starting with Freud and psychoanalysis through the social learning theories of Vygotsky. All theoretical standpoints on child development show that the first three years of life are important for the later exhibition of prosocial behaviors, attitudes, and psychological health. Moreover, research on early childhood development and attachments is.