Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Chapter 10 Social-Emotional Development in the First Year 293 themselves. Fostering good feelings in babies seems to increase the joy and love between children and their caregivers. Encouraging Attachment The most important asset a child can have is the knowledge that someone has unconditional love (deep affection without limitations) for him or her and will always be supportive. A child becomes attached to this person. The quality of this attach- ment is a powerful predictor (something that is useful in making a prediction) of social-emotional outcome (Figure 10.13). Many years will pass before children can verbally identify those who unconditionally love and support them. How do infants sense this love and support and develop attachments? Babies have needs and can signal these needs. Infants attach to caregivers who bring warmth, care, and security and make them feel loved, worthy of care, and safe. Through the nurturing relationship, positive connections are made in the brain. Depriving a child of the nurturing relationship leads to negative brain effects. To encourage attachment, parents and other caregivers need to understand and practice the following: • Realize the most important adult behavior in forming attachment is correctly, consistently, and promptly responding to the baby’s signals of needs in a loving way. • Sing and play music. Babies like the quiet tones of lullabies or even a steady tone, such as the hum of a ceiling fan or the bubbling sound from an aquarium. • Take the baby for a car ride or a ride in a stroller. • Stroke the baby to relieve tension. A newborn’s constant cries cause tension in parents. Relief from tension is good for family relationships. Using a babysitter for an hour or even an entire afternoon may help parents reduce their tension. Serving and Responding Babies need parents who serve and respond. Physical and vocal signals and responses shape the feelings between parents and their newborns. Babies feel love through physical contact with the adult. The quality of the relationship is infl uenced less by the total number of messages than by the quality of these messages. Even the most loving parents may miss a few opportunities to serve or respond because they are hurried or tense. In a healthy relationship, the balance must be on the positive side. Child-adult relationships are mostly one-sided for many years. Infants may give some smiles and hugs, but adults do most of the giving. This giving is important, because the feelings adults show for babies help to shape the picture children form of Figure 10.12 The Meanings of Cries Cause Sounds of Cry Ways to Respond Pain Cycle begins with shrill scream, followed by silence, and ends with short gasps. Cycle is repeated. Respond immediately. Ease pain if possible. Cuddle baby to calm. Hunger or boredom Slow cries that become louder and rhythmic. Feed if near feeding time. OR Entertain by giving baby a tour of the house or yard. Upset Fussy, rather quiet cry. Cry sounds a bit forced. Cuddle or entertain.