Building Strong Relationships with Young Children: The Importance of Attachment

Comments

2 responses to “Building Strong Relationships with Young Children: The Importance of Attachment”

1. 

   22nd Jun 2026

   Allison Luke

   What should I do if I work with children in foster homes that I notice have behavioral issues and sometimes they have a difficult time with letting their parents go to work everyday and it makes them sad when they leave is there anything that I can do to help alleviate this situation so that it doesn’t become an ongoing problem that I will have to deal with every day?

   LikeLike

   Reply
   1. 

      16th Jul 2026

      Georgina Young – Early Years Specialist

      It sounds as though you really care about these children and want to support them, which is already such an important starting point. 🫶🏻

      From what you’ve described, I’d be curious about what’s sitting underneath the behaviour rather than focusing on the behaviour itself. Children in foster care have often experienced significant change, loss or uncertainty, so finding it difficult when a trusted adult leaves for work is a very understandable response. Rather than seeing it as something to stop, it can help to see it as communication.

      Building strong, consistent relationships is one of the most powerful things you can do. Predictable routines, acknowledging and validating their feelings (“I know it’s hard saying goodbye”), offering reassurance that their foster parent will return, and helping them engage in something meaningful shortly after the goodbye can all help over time.

      Most importantly, don’t underestimate the impact of simply being a calm, reliable and emotionally available adult. Children who have experienced disrupted attachments often need lots of repeated experiences of adults who are consistent, responsive and trustworthy before they begin to feel truly safe.

      If the difficulties are significant or persist, I’d also encourage working closely with the foster carers and any professionals already involved with the child, as they may be able to share strategies that have been effective or provide additional insight into the child’s individual experiences and needs.

      Thank you for taking the time to ask such a thoughtful question, and I hope some of that helps. ❤️

      LikeLike

      Reply