3.1 Explain how attachments develop

Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner
Unit: EYP 5: Understand how to support children’s development
Learning outcome: 3. Understand the importance of attachment for holistic development
Assessment criteria: 3.1 Explain how attachments develop

• Attachment is the relationship a child has with their primary caregiver(s) and, to a lesser extent, secondary caregivers, such as grandparents or their key person at a nursery.
• During the first few months, babies will have ‘indiscriminate attachments’, that is they will prefer to be in the company of humans rather than left alone, but who the humans are will not matter.
• At around 8 months, babies will develop stronger attachments to their primary caregivers and miss or become distressed when separated from them.