Understanding Childcare through the Lens of Attachment Theories

An Exposition

Abstract

Mothering and care-giving breed attachment between mothers or caregivers and the children receiving care at infancy. This study dissects the major postulations of some theories of attachment. The selected theories and several other secondary data are relied on. Expository design, qualitative approach, textual and content analyses, interpretive devices and analytic description are employed. The analysis shows that the different theories of attachment share common views amidst their variances in explaining how attachment is formed between a child and a mother or a primary caregiver during the child’s early years. The study concludes that childcare in schools, homes, and other settings can be understood and cared for much better through an understanding of attachment theories. The concerned professionals and stakeholders are charged to leverage attachment theories for effective childcare service delivery and early childhood education.