What is secure attachment? What are the signs of secure attachment?

Secure attachment is the emotional, trust-based bond established between the primary caregiver and the baby from birth. This bond established between the ages of 0-3 affects the whole life of the individual. It has a great impact on academic success, career and social life from bilateral relations. Secure attachment also affects the individual's self-perception and evaluations. An individual with a secure attachment has higher self-confidence, self-esteem and self-compassion. For children, secure attachment means that the child can safely communicate with and enjoy others. This makes the child feel secure and helps him form strong emotional bonds. Secure attachment can be achieved by parents paying enough attention to the child, hugging him/her and having a good time with him/her.

Secure attachment symptoms manifest themselves in every age period starting from infancy. Babies who are securely attached to their parents are much more self-confident in childhood and adulthood. They are individuals who have strong communication skills and can empathize. Securely attached individuals have more constructive coping styles than those with insecure attachment from childhood. They exhibit less stress, anxiety, anger, and destructive behavior. They can cope with their negative emotions and impulses much more easily.

They can express their negative feelings and thoughts in a more constructive way. Individuals who develop secure attachment can be separated from their parents more easily from infancy and do not develop separation anxiety. When they are scared or upset, they expect to be comforted by their parents. When separated from their parents and reunited with the parent, they do not show rejection, pushing or ignoring behavior. They continue to have a loving relationship with the parent.

They know that they can handle adverse situations. They are more socially flexible, able to express and control their emotions comfortably. When children can control their emotions, they can more easily pay attention to what they learn.

Children who have developed a secure attachment style can concentrate their attention more and their attention quality is high. At the same time, they are more curious and more open to learning.