Attachment Observation

ATTACHMENT OBSERVATION
Introduction
Part A
1. Give a description of gender and age of the specific child observed (must be between 9
and 30 months), as well as setting (place and size of the group) and length of time
observing. (5 points)
● 12-18 months
● Three boys
● CSN daycare “climbing area” (pieces of foam and mats)
● Outside
● 15 minutes
2. Write an objective observation of either arrival or departure time. (10 points)

Departure time
The mother played with the toddler. He is giggling and laughing with the mother. The mother is
beside him when he got on the tall mat. The mother told her child that she is getting ready to
leave. The caregiver then got close to them and stood to the side of the toddler. The caregiver
was holding the toddler while the mother was tying his shoelaces. “Mommy is going to go in just
a minute. We’re going to get ready to say goodbye” mother tried to play. Mother stood up, and
said “I love you so much, and I will see you after nap.” “Mother has stuff to do. She will be
back, let’s walk momma up to the gate.” The toddler was being held by the caregiver walking the
mother to the gate. The toddler was crying when mother left, but instantly stopped 20 seconds
later, when the caregiver said that she’ll be back from happy nap. Toddler was put down and
started to play. Caregiver gave him some water. He went with the rest of the toddlers and walked
towards the grass area.
Part B - Base the following answers on your objective observation (Part A/2) of the child’s
interaction with their parent. (This is your interpretation of the objective observation.)
1. What attachment promoting behaviors do you see the child displaying? (5 points)
He played with his mother. Laughed. He was having a fun time with his mother. Rolling a wheel
back and forth with the mother. He was comfortable with his mom being there and bonding with
him.
2. How does the parent respond? (5 points)

The mother was holding him so he wouldn’t fall from the mat. She would walk with him to the
grass area and back to the climbing area. She was attentive to him and made sure he drank some
water. She would hug him a couple times during their play.
3. How does the caregiver respond? (5 points)

The caregiver would comment on the toddler’s actions, “he’s not afraid to walk on the mat.” The
caregiver gave the mother and toddler some space for them to play and interact. She did not
interrupt until she heard the mother say the key words “I’m getting ready to leave”. The
caregiver then got closer to the toddler and comforted him when the mother hugged him. When
the mother was departing, the caregiver was carrying the toddler and telling him “let us say
goodbye to mommy. She will be back after nap. Let’s walk her to the gate.”
4. Can you tell how the parent feels about the child’s attachment to the caregiver? (5
points)
Yes, I could tell how the parent feels about the child’s attachment to the caregiver. She
appreciates that the caregiver was there to hold him while she was exiting. I noticed that it gave
her a relief that the child was being held by the caregiver. Some parents get jealous by the
caregivers, but the mother was glad to see that her child was in good hands. Her and the
caregiver explained to the toddler that she’ll be back after happy nap and was pleased to see the
toddler grab onto the caregiver.
Part C - Base your answers on your objective observation (Part A/2) of the child’s
interaction with the caregiver. (This is your interpretation of the objective observation.)
1. What attachment-promoting behaviors do you see the child displaying? (5 points)
Although he was crying when his mother was leaving, he felt secured and loved by the way the
caregiver was holding him. He was hugging the caregiver back when she was holding him.
2. What evidence of the attachment dance do you observe? (Caregiver promoting

attachment behavior.) (5 points)
The caregiver was talking to the toddler, letting him know that she will be back. She noticed that
he looked thirsty, so she gave poured water onto a plastic cup and gave it to him. She was caring
when she was carrying him. She noticed that he wanted to walk around, so she put him down to
the ground, and she was holding his hand walking. She kept telling him that his mother will be
back after nap, giving him reassurance.
Part D
1. How did you feel about this observation? (5 points)
I felt that it is important for the caregiver to have that special connection with the toddler, and the
parent. Both of them were working together and cooperating, making sure that the toddler was
okay departing from the mother. Although it was heartbreaking to watch the toddler cry when
departing from the mother, the toddler trusted the caregiver to play and felt secured.
2. What advice might you give to the caregiver and/or parent? (5 points)
To the parent- try to explain to the toddler why you need to leave him with the caregiver.
Influence the caregiver to join you and the toddler, so that dramatic switch doesn’t feel too heavy
for the child (too many things happening at the same time).

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ATTACHMENT OBSERVATION

2. Write an objective observation of either arrival or departure time. (10 points)

2. How does the parent respond? (5 points)

3. How does the caregiver respond? (5 points)

2. What evidence of the attachment dance do you observe? (Caregiver promoting

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