CAREGIVER STABILITY AND TODDLERS ATTACHMENT-RELATED BEHAVIOR TOWARDS CAREGIVERS IN DAY-CARE

The responses of toddlers to stable and nonstable caregivers in the daily routine of day care were observed. Distressed toddlers more often initiated attachment-related behaviors (proximity and contact seeking, distance interaction) towards stable than nonstable caregivers, and stable caregivers were also more effective in quieting distressed children. In nondistressed contexts, which typically involved routine play, toddlers made more initiatives towards stable than nonstable caregivers indicating that they may use stable caregivers more often as a ''secure base.'' These data are consistent with the notion that stability fosters the development of attachment bonds between children and caregivers thus improving the capacity of caregivers to serve as attachment figures for children in day care.