Phase III of the Attachment Years
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Phase III of the Attachment Years
During Phase 3 of the Attachment Years, typically from 6 months to 18 months, the infant continues to practice behavioral responses and initiations in getting wants and needs met and these patterns become solidified. In other words, the brain "records" experiences and behaviors that will then be reused in later, similar situations.
For example, if an infant has been in a hostile environment where needs have gone unmet or met inconsistently, the child may have developed behavioral patterns of being fussy, screaming, or withdrawing. If the infant is then placed in a nurturing situation where needs are met, these old behavior patterns are still set, so the infant may scream uncontrollable to get needs met even if the need is now quickly and efficiently taken care of.
| Guru Spotlight |
| Patricia Walters-Fischer |
