View Basket 3 items
Extract of a review from Educational Psychology in Practice Vol. 21, No.4, December 2005, (pp 343-345)
“The importance and potential value of this film cannot be sufficiently emphasised. Sensitively observed and well-produced films about child development are few and far between as it is, and films observing attachment relationships even fewer. As an educational psychologist in training, I still vividly recall watching two films made by James Robertson, A Two Year Old Goes to Hospital (made in the early 1950’s in collaboration with John Bowlby) and Going to Hospital With Mother (made with Joyce Robertson, in the late 1950’s). James and Joyce Robertson went on to make a series of short films in the late 1960’s to mid 1970’s, observing different effects of separation on young children.
Since then, and the Sunday’s Child series following Felix from birth to 14 years, that appeared in 1985, I am not aware of anything else that provides a visual document of attachment processes until now. In itself, that makes this film significant.
In watching Attachment in Practice, I was taken back to those Robertson films precisely because the same kind of commitment to the participants in the film and the subject matter is evident. This should not be underestimated since, just as it was crucial for the credibility of Robertson’s work, it is crucial for a viewing of this film if it is to influence thinking and practice.
Siren Films have a considerable record, over many years now, of making films about child behaviour. The skill and experience that they have accumulated certainly shows and, in my opinion, the quality of this film is as good as any one is ever likely to see.
The documentary sequences are inter-cut with commentary by Dr. Per Olof Svanberg, consultant clinical psychologist with the Sunderland Infant Programme. He has a relaxed, warm style of delivery and his explanations are clear and jargon free, as is the voice over commentary.
This is a timely film in so many ways. Its relevance to the Children Act five outcomes and the Children’s National Service Framework standards, is immediate and obvious: as a reminder of the contribution that psychology can make to our understanding of healthy cognitive and emotional development, and as an invaluable resource for sharing that contribution with all those who care for children.
This film, as is clearly one of its intended uses, can readily form the basis for continuing learning, facilitated by the accompanying user notes. These include a breakdown of the film and a transcript of the commentary, a range of activities and topics for discussion. Also, whilst the film itself deliberately avoids over theorising, this is compensated for by a summary of relevant theory and references.
Educational psychologists, from those in training to those with many years of experience, will find this film useful. In our service it has been enthused about by those who are involved in supporting nurture groups, working with staff in early years settings, using Video Interaction Guidance, supervising staff in children’s homes and foster carers, those that are planning input to ante-natal classes, and those that see it quite simply as essential viewing. Oh, and if there was a category at Cannes for films on child development, Attachment in Practice would win, hands down or, in the case of some of the early sequences of Leila, bottom shuffling down."