Children’s Mental Health research shows that the quality of early parent-child relationships has an important impact

on a child’s development and their ability to form secure attachments. A child who has secure attachment feels confident

that they can rely on the parent to protect them in times of distress. This confidence gives the child security to explore

the world and establish trusting relationships with others. As a result, current mental health practice is to screen the quality

of the parent-child interactions.

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The following items are considered from the parent’s perspective, rather than the child’s. If a parent states that one or

more of these statements describes their child, the child may be exhibiting signs of an insecure attachment; consider this a red flag.

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0-8 months

► Is difficult to comfort by physical contact such as rocking or holding

► Does things or cries just to annoy you

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8-18 months

► Does not reach out to you for comfort

► Easily allows a stranger to hold him/her

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18 months - 3 years

► Is not beginning to develop some independence

► Seems angry or ignores you after you have been apart

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3-4 years

► Easily goes with a stranger

► Is too passive or clingy with you

 

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4-5 years

► Becomes aggressive for no reason (e.g., with someone who is upset)

► Is too dependent on adults for attention, encouragement and help