Attachment
Definition
Attachment can be defined as an emotional bond between two
people in which each seeks closeness and feels more secure when in
the presence of the attachment figure.
Caregiver-Infant Interactions in Humans
Interactions between very young babies and their parents are
baby-led, with the adult responding to the behaviour of the baby.
Reciprocity
AO1
The word reciprocal means two-way, or something that is mutual.
Infant and caregiver are both active contributors in the interaction and
are responding to each other.
Reciprocity is a form of interaction between infant and caregiver
involving mutual responsiveness, with both parties being able to
produce a response from each other. Smiling is an example of
reciprocity – when a smile occurs in the infant it triggers a smile in the
caregiver and vice versa.
AO3
Reciprocity influences the child’s physical, social and cognitive
development. It becomes the basis for the development of basic trust
or mistrust and shapes how the child will relate to the world, learn,
and form relationships throughout life.
Interactional Synchrony
AO1
Interactional synchrony is a form of rhythmic interaction between
infant and caregiver involving mutual focus, reciprocity and mirroring
of emotion or behaviour. Infants coordinate their actions with
caregivers in a kind of conversation.
From birth, babies move in a rhythm when interacting with an adult
almost as if they were taking turns. Infant and caregiver are able to
anticipate how each other will behave and can elicit a particular
response from the other.
For example, a caregiver who laughs in response to their infants
giggling sound and tickles them is experiencing synchronised
interaction.
Interactional synchrony is most likely to develop if the caregiver
attends fully to the baby's state, provides playful stimulation when the
Definition
Attachment can be defined as an emotional bond between two
people in which each seeks closeness and feels more secure when in
the presence of the attachment figure.
Caregiver-Infant Interactions in Humans
Interactions between very young babies and their parents are
baby-led, with the adult responding to the behaviour of the baby.
Reciprocity
AO1
The word reciprocal means two-way, or something that is mutual.
Infant and caregiver are both active contributors in the interaction and
are responding to each other.
Reciprocity is a form of interaction between infant and caregiver
involving mutual responsiveness, with both parties being able to
produce a response from each other. Smiling is an example of
reciprocity – when a smile occurs in the infant it triggers a smile in the
caregiver and vice versa.
AO3
Reciprocity influences the child’s physical, social and cognitive
development. It becomes the basis for the development of basic trust
or mistrust and shapes how the child will relate to the world, learn,
and form relationships throughout life.
Interactional Synchrony
AO1
Interactional synchrony is a form of rhythmic interaction between
infant and caregiver involving mutual focus, reciprocity and mirroring
of emotion or behaviour. Infants coordinate their actions with
caregivers in a kind of conversation.
From birth, babies move in a rhythm when interacting with an adult
almost as if they were taking turns. Infant and caregiver are able to
anticipate how each other will behave and can elicit a particular
response from the other.
For example, a caregiver who laughs in response to their infants
giggling sound and tickles them is experiencing synchronised
interaction.
Interactional synchrony is most likely to develop if the caregiver
attends fully to the baby's state, provides playful stimulation when the
