Rachel Campbell

ECE 252

A Research Study on Secure Attachment Using the Primary Caregiving

Approach

Marjory Ebbeck • Dora Mei Yong Phoon • Elizabeth Chai Kim Tan-Chong
• Marilyn Ai Bee Tan • Mandy Lian Mui Goh

Published online: 7 June 2014 Springer Science+Business Media New

York 2014

1-hypothesis,

It is crucial that caregivers provide a secure base for the child to

develop secure attachment with educators. The purpose of this
research study was to investigate how caregivers in two childcare
centers in Singapore implemented the primary caregiving system.

2-methodology,

A ‘before and-after’ methodology was used to find out if change

had occurred after the intervention. Results showed that attachment
in infants/toddlers had strengthened through the improved educating
practices, collaboration with families, staff team work and
employment stability.

3-author’s conclusions,

While the research study is small, it is unique for Singapore and

provides a model for other centers to either try or adapt. Secure
attachment is of great importance to well-being as it promotes later
social competence leading to a healthy social and emotional
development in young children.

4-your critique,

This was a very interesting article to read. Coming from a

different country and to learn that having a study to prove that a
primary caregiver is important shocked me. Working with children is a
very important task. This article proves that we need quality
caregivers in each center to provide that primary bond. As I read the
first five months were hard since the children did not have that
constant caregiver and would spend the day clinging to who ever
picked them up first. But once the center had an intervention and set a
small group to a certain caregiver the children would rarely cry but
giggle and laugh. Proving that establishing a bond with a certain
caregiver is truly important.

5-how the information can be used in the early childhood field. 

This article helps prove that children under the age of three
should have a bond with certain caregivers. Having centers with
strong teams of caregivers who work with small groups of children are
important. The hardest part about this is finding dedicated educators
want to stay in these classrooms. In the end this article really helped
prove that once you establish a bond with a caregiver and have a
routine you can have little to no separation anxiety with children under
the age of three. There should be a conscientious effort to help the
primary caregivers understand that they needed to be emotionally
available to the children designated in their care. Having a successful
bond really relies on the caregiver.