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www.foundation-stage.info
I have just watched this film with my nursery colleagues and it provoked much discussion about our current children, some of whom are finding it very difficult to settle in a new environment. The film shows the development of attachment behaviour of babies and very young children, using an easy, realistic style of filming. The children and parents are from real homes, with toys dotted around on the floor and real washing-up drying on the draining board! It is a particularly accessible film and clearly shows the pattern of attachment behaviour through snapshots of babies and children interacting with their primary care-givers.
The key message is clear: that a secure, consistent relationship with the adult to whom the child has made an attachment has a profound effect on the child's personal, social and emotional development. Obvious links to Birth to Three Matters spring to mind, particularly the components Being Acknowledged and Affirmed and Developing Self-assurance from the aspect A Strong Child, the component Emotional Well-being from the aspect A Healthy Child and the component Being Together from the aspect A Skilful Communicator. The Birth to Three framework emphasises the fact that for babies and young children to develop independence they need to feel safe and secure within healthy relationships with key people:
“Young children strive for responses from others, which confirm, contribute to, or challenge their understanding of themselves" (Component: Being Acknowledged and Affirmed)
"Children need to feel others are positive towards them, and to experience realistic expectations in order to become competent, assertive and self-assured" (Component: Being Acknowledged and Affirmed)
"When young children have a close relationship with a caring and responsive adult, they explore from a safe place to which they can return" (Component: Emotional Well-being)
"Being physically close and making eye-contact, using touch or voice provides an ideal opportunity for early "conversation" between adults and babies" (Component: Being Together)
The forty-two minute film is divided into four sections according to the age of the child; birth to two months; two to eight months; eight to eighteen months; eighteen months and beyond. The user notes include questions for discussion, suggestions for observing children (either in the film or in your own setting), starting points for further research and references should you wish to extend your knowledge.
My team thought this was an excellent film which was very relevant to our work in a nursery, particularly at the beginning of the academic year when many children are experiencing their first separation from their parents and carers. It gave us an insight into what successful attachment looks like, and also an introduction to what might occur if a child has not been able to form a secure attachment.
This film would clearly be extremely useful for teachers and lecturers on childcare, early years education, and health and social care courses, and I feel it would be a very good buy for local authority advisors and trainers of early years staff. Selected aspects could also be used in parenting skills courses and young parent groups, many of which are being offered at Children's Centres around the country.