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Session 4
Unit Two: How Children Grow and Develop
The Arousal-Relaxation Cycle was developed by Vera Fahlberg, M.D. and introduced in her book A Child’s Journey Through Placement, 1991.
Here is an example of how an infant develops attachment to a caregiver:
Experiences Need: The baby feels discomfort/tension or hunger.
Signals Discomfort: Baby expresses distress through crying, and restlessness.
Satisfaction of Need: Caregiver responds by providing food, clean diaper, holding and cuddling baby.
Signals Comfort: Baby experiences relief of distress, being held, warmth, smell, expression on face of caregiver. Baby relaxes, may fall asleep.
Need Again Increases: Cycle repeats but is modified through learning by both baby and caregivers.
An infant repeats this cycle over and over. Trust is developed over time when each time a need is felt and expressed, it is then met. With this basis, a child is able to develop secure attachments to primary caregivers and other important people in his/her life.
Attachment is a crucial development task.
Some factors influencing bonding and attachment include:
- Child’s “personality” or temperament –irritable, difficult to soothe or calm child.
- Caregiver’s behaviors-critical, unresponsive or nurturing and responsive to child’s needs.
- Environment-Living in a chaotic, stressful environment causes fear which impedes healthy attachments. Predictable, safe living arrangement promotes security.
- The “fit” between the temperament and capabilities of the infant and caregiver is crucial.
- Abuse and neglect.
Click for Session 4
Unit 2e
Click for Session 4 Unit 3
