Child Development and Attachment: Impact from Early Years to Adulthood

Over thirty years of attachment research has helped us to understand how crucial early childhood experiences are to the entire spectrum of a child’s development; affecting social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth. This understanding has been enhanced by brain development research which illustrates how reliant children are on sensitive caregiving for optimal development. However, all too often children don’t receive the care they need in their early years. Issues associated with parental alcohol and/or drug use, mental health and adverse social circumstances can hinder parents from providing the type of care that their children need.

This course is designed to help participants understand the implications of early attachment experiences for a child’s emotional development. It will also address implications of this research for work with children and their parents and carers.

Participants will:

• Describe the implications of early attachment experiences for the developing child
• Discuss how to address the emotional needs of children who have experienced adverse early care
• Discuss how to work with parents and foster parents of these children to assist them to give them the relationship experiences they need
• Describe how positive relationship experiences can work to support the development of emotional regulation skills

Who should attend?

Experienced child and family workers