Caring for Infants & Toddlers: A Conscious Discipline Presentation

Presented by Mandy Lloyd, National Conscious Discipline Certified Instructor, mandylloyd723@yahoo.com

! First three years of life Our mental model for relationships Our mental model of self Our foundation for the ability to attend and motivate ourselves Our ability to self-regulate and manage stress

ATTACHMENT
During the first three years of life, we establish templates that we utilize throughout adulthood. Our mental model for relationships (WE) Our mental model of self (I) The goal in healthy relationships is to balance the need to be an independent self (I) with the need to be connected (We). - Secure attachment: feel comfortable being an independent self and being close to a significant other (Balance I and we) - Anxious attachment: crave intimacy; often preoccupied with relationship; tend to worry about partners ability to love them back (Sacrifice I for we) - Avoidant attachment: equate intimacy with loss of independence and constantly try to minimize closeness (Sacrifice we for I) An attachment figure is the special individual an infant or toddler turns to when protection and support are needed. Primary attachment = mom (generally) Secondary attachment bonds support and complement primary bond. Attachment figures are created through one-to-one interactions. Attachment is formed during times of distress. When child is hurt or feels threatened, physiological red alert Find your attachment figure and seek comfort.

Adults response will either create SECURE attachment or INSECURE attachment. - Inconsistent response = Anxious attachment - Negative response = Avoidant attachment - Consistent, positive response = Secure attachment

R.O.A.D. map to Secure Attachment

Respond consistently. Organize yourself first and the child second. (Your state regulates their state.) Attune to the child by offering empathy and understanding. Describe childs intentions and desires

"#$$%&'!()'*!+,!-'!./0"01!!""#$%&'(%

! !

ATTUNEMENT
Attunement is the fundamental characteristic of secure attachment. We must be in a calm, present internal state in order to experience attuned interactions with children. See from the childs perspective and help the child make sense of his experience by adding words to his nonverbal cues.

SOCIAL PLAY
Positive, joyful social play between child and adult is key to healthy development. For optimal brain development, social play involves eye contact, touch, presence (attunement) and a playful situation.

BABY DOLL CIRCLE TIME A way to ensure that every caregiver and child experiences the attachment, attunement, and social play required for optimal brain development. What you offer to others, you experience within yourself. Joy juice!