The Importance of Building Trust in Infant and Toddler Care
Principle 9 Build security by teaching trust. Don’t teach distrust by being undependable or often inconsistent.
“Look at this dolly, Cameron,” says her mother as she tries to get 12-month-old Cameron involved in the dress-up area. The two have just arrived, and this is the mother’s first day to leave her daughter. The caregiver approaches, says hello, and then gets down at Cameron’s level. The baby looks at her. Cameron has visited the center several times and recognizes the caregiver, but she’s never stayed without her mother. She smiles happily and holds out a doll to show the caregiver. When the caregiver stands up to talk to the mother, she discovers the mother is gone. She had said earlier that she can’t stand to see her daughter cry, so apparently she just decided to sneak out. Cameron continues holding the doll, but then she looks around and can’t find her mother. She looks puzzled, and then she begins to cry. She ends up wracked in sobs, and the caregiver has a hard time comforting her. The caregiver decides to speak to the mother at the end of the day and tell her about the importance of saying good-bye so that her daughter can predict when she is going to leave. In her experience, children who have no good-bye ritual can’t relax because they never know when people come and go in their lives. She knows that trust is an important issue for Cameron, and she knows it will take time. The first step is to get the mother to say good-bye. Imagine that you are this caregiver.
After reading through the case study, you'll write an essay that addresses the following questions in separate paragraphs of 4–6 sentences each. No bulleted or number lists should be included in the essay. Remember to include an introduction and conclusion paragraph.
Write responses to the following questions. Each response should be at least 4–6 sentences in length.
1. When Cameron realized her mother was gone, she became somewhat inconsolable. Reflecting on what was learned throughout the course, what attachment behavior(s) is Cameron experiencing and why?
2. How do you feel about Cameron’s mother leaving the classroom while her daughter was distracted? How might this affect Cameron’s development of a sense of trust and what problems may occur in the future?
3. If you were the caregiver in Cameron’s classroom how would you address the situation © 2021 Penn Foster Inc. Infant and Toddler Care (v2) : Lesson 5 : Page 2 with the mother? How could you support attachment and the development of trust between Cameron and her mother and you (the caregiver) and Cameron?
4. Chapter 11 discussed caregivers’ responses to children’s separation anxiety issues. It’s important for caregivers to cope with emotions and to understand how to manage separation anxiety, so they can be most effective in helping the children. How did you learn to deal with separation anxiety issues?
The Importance of Building Trust in Infant and Toddler Care
Introduction: Building trust is a crucial aspect of infant and toddler care. It contributes to the development of secure attachments and lays the foundation for healthy socio-emotional development. In this essay, we will examine a case study involving Cameron, a 12-month-old who experienced a lack of trust due to her mother’s sudden departure from the classroom. We will address the attachment behaviors exhibited by Cameron, the impact of her mother’s actions on her trust development, strategies for addressing the situation, and the importance of caregivers coping with separation anxiety.
When Cameron realized her mother was gone, she became somewhat inconsolable. Reflecting on what was learned throughout the course, what attachment behavior(s) is Cameron experiencing and why?
Cameron is experiencing separation anxiety, which is a common attachment behavior observed in infants and toddlers. Separation anxiety occurs when a child becomes distressed upon separation from their primary caregiver. In this case, Cameron’s distress and inconsolability are indicators of separation anxiety. This behavior is rooted in the attachment system, which is the innate need for young children to seek proximity and comfort from their primary caregivers. Cameron’s reaction demonstrates her reliance on her mother and her fear of being abandoned or left alone.
How do you feel about Cameron’s mother leaving the classroom while her daughter was distracted? How might this affect Cameron’s development of a sense of trust, and what problems may occur in the future?
Cameron’s mother leaving the classroom without saying goodbye and while her daughter was distracted is concerning. This action can negatively impact Cameron’s development of a sense of trust. Trust is built through consistent and predictable interactions with caregivers. By leaving without a proper goodbye ritual, Cameron’s mother is undermining the trust that Cameron needs to feel secure. This incident may lead to increased anxiety and difficulty in forming secure attachments in the future. Cameron may develop a fear of abandonment and struggle with trusting others.
If you were the caregiver in Cameron’s classroom, how would you address the situation with the mother? How could you support attachment and the development of trust between Cameron and her mother, and you (the caregiver) and Cameron?
As the caregiver, I would approach the situation with empathy and understanding. I would have a conversation with Cameron’s mother at the end of the day, explaining the importance of a consistent goodbye ritual for Cameron’s sense of security and trust. I would emphasize that by saying goodbye, Cameron can predict her mother’s departure, reducing her anxiety. I would also offer suggestions for a goodbye routine, such as a hug and a comforting phrase.
To support attachment and trust development between Cameron and her mother, I would encourage the mother to be present during drop-off and to engage in positive interactions with Cameron before leaving. This would help Cameron build a positive association with her mother’s departure. I would also provide reassurance and comfort to Cameron during the transition, offering a soothing voice, gentle touch, and engaging activities to redirect her attention.
In developing trust between myself as the caregiver and Cameron, I would ensure consistency in my interactions, responding promptly to her needs, and creating a predictable routine. By being reliable and nurturing, I would aim to build a secure attachment with Cameron, providing her with a sense of safety and trust in our relationship.
Chapter 11 discussed caregivers’ responses to children’s separation anxiety issues. It’s important for caregivers to cope with emotions and to understand how to manage separation anxiety so they can be most effective in helping the children. How did you learn to deal with separation anxiety issues?
In learning to deal with separation anxiety issues, I have gained knowledge and strategies through studying child development and early childhood education. I have learned about the normal developmental stages of separation anxiety and the importance of building trust and secure attachments. Additionally, I have learned techniques such as creating predictable routines, providing comfort and reassurance, and engaging in positive interactions to help children cope with separation anxiety.
Furthermore, I have gained practical experience and insights by observing and interacting with children in various childcare settings. Through hands-on experience, I have learned to be patient, empathetic, and responsive to children’s emotions during times of separation anxiety. I have also learned the significance of open communication with parents to understand and support their child’s individual needs during these challenging moments.
Conclusion: Building trust is a fundamental aspect of infant and toddler care. By understanding attachment behaviors, addressing situations that may affect trust development, and implementing strategies to promote secure attachments, caregivers can create a nurturing and supportive environment for young children. By effectively managing separation anxiety and coping with their own emotions, caregivers can provide the necessary support for children to develop trust, resilience, and healthy socio-emotional development.