Describe parenting behaviours or approaches that best support a childs emotional, behavioural and social development

INFANCY and EARLY CHILDHOOD

Importance of Parenting

influences child development and contributes to psychopathology, which can have short and long term effects and correlates with other family problems and intergenerational transmission

What is attachment in infancy

• Attachment is the formation of a secure first attachment relationship which represents the most important developmental stages of infancy

• refers to a close emotional bond between and infant ant their primary caregiver

Secure attachment behaviours displayed:

• shows strong positive emotional to attachment

• seeks proximity to person attached to

• actively seeks caregiver when upset or unwell

• easily comforted by caregiver, who provides a secure base for exploration

What does parent gain from having a secure attachment

• ability to manage and support infants regulatory needs

• less conflict and stress

• more parenting competence and commitment

• results in better adjusted children long-term

What parenting factors result in a secure child

• unconditional love and affection

• synchrony and harmonious interactions

• playful interactions

• prompt consistent and appropriate responses to infants cues

Explain Attachment Theory Bowlby and Ainsworth

• Children and biologically pre-programmed to form attachments with others as it helps them survive

• Primary relationship develops an internal working model or set or mental representations for understanding the world, self and others which form mental REPRESENTATIONS for all future relationships

What traits do Bowlby and Ainsworth believe to form a secure relationship

• sensitivity and responsiveness

• emotional availability

• consistency and predictability

• warmth and nurturance

all these support emotional and social development and foster emotional trust and safety

Sociocultural Theory Vygotsky

• emotional, behavioural and social skills develop through guided interactions with caregivers

• parents support children by scaffolding (supporting tasks just enough for them to complete it).

scaffolding builds their confidence, promotes skill development and strengthens parent-child relationships

Social Learning Theory (Bandura)

• children imitate parents behaviour - modelling calmness, emotional regulation, respectful interactions all supports prosocial developments

• EMOTION COACHING and gentle disciple show children how to respond appropriately to frustration or limits

Calming Cycle Theory (Ludwig and Welch)

• explains how emotional co-regulation between a caregiver and child develops through repeated calming interactions. It emphasises emotional connection and mutual regulation as its foundational to healthy emotional development (can be through maternal voice)

• Emotional Regulation is co-created though repeated calming interactions between parent and child

• parents use of soothing voice, touch and facial expression helps the child return to emotional balance and builds lifelong regulation pathways.

Developmental functions of attachment/emotional connection for infants

• babies learn about people and the social world, impacting language and cognitive development

• develop an understanding oh how close relationships function and what to expect from others

• experience emotions and learn how to cope with them, so important predictors of child emotional and behavioural regulation

Oxytocin in Infancy and Early Childhood

• responsive caregiving and intentional synchrony such as soothing touch, eye contact, and attuned vocal interactions trigger oxytocin release in parents and children

• the biological feedback loop is central to emotional development, as outlined in the calming cycle theory which emphasises the importance of repeated cycles of mutual regulation

• oxytocin-rich interactions also help build the foundation for social trust, empathy and behavioural regulation

I&EC - Theories of Developmental Psychology: Past, present and future (MILLER, 2021)

• combines classical theories (attachment, sociocultural, Social Learning and gives more holistic view of development

• miller argues that modern developmental science embraces integrated models, where, co-regulation, emotion modelling and interactive caregiving are central

I&EC - Parenting Interventions for Early Childhood Development (Jeong et al 2022) - Evidenced-based parenting

• Jeong found that parenting interventions in early childhood (especially those promoting responsive caregiving and stimulation) significantly improve children’s cognitive, emotional and behavioural outcomes

• interventions that focus on parent-child interaction quality, such as promoting emotion coaching, consistent routines, and positive discipline, were most effective across diverse cultural contexts