Did you know that as well as developmental milestones, there are milestones in attachment and bonding applicable to all stages of your child’s life?

While we may traditionally consider attachment and bonding as something only considered in newborn life, it actually follows the child’s path of upbringing, from birth to adolescence.

Something you may not know is that checking for attachment and bonding comes from both the child’s behaviour and the parent’s actions.

Below are a few strategies parents and carers can try at home to improve their child’s ability to bond and attach –  at all ages and stages.

• If you want your baby to be easily comforted, you may try demonstrating the ability and willingness to comfort them
• If you want your baby to exhibit age-appropriate motor development, you may try showing interest in and encouraging activities to support this
• If you want your toddler to look at people when communicating, you may try modelling this behaviour
• If you want your toddler to show emotions in a recognisable manner, you may try being aware of and reactive to your child’s cues
• If you want your school-aged child to share with others, you may try providing opportunities for your child to spend time with their peers
• If you want your school-aged child to try new tasks, you may try modelling a mistake making and learning culture
• If you want your adolescent engaging in positive peer interactions, you may try showing an interest in and acceptance of their friends
• If you want your adolescent performing satisfactorily at school, you may try demonstrating involvement and interest in the school community

If you feel concerned about the way your baby/child/adolescent interacts with the world around them, please do not hesitate to seek professional assistance.