Attachment

Attachment, an important component of affective development, is the affectional bond that a child has with significant others. This entry addresses what is known about the link between attachment and education and covers three main areas. First, this entry discusses children's interest in and ability to participate in relationships that promote learning, including the relationship with the primary caregiver as well as relationships with early care providers and teachers. Next, this entry discusses specific language, cognitive, and social/ emotional outcomes associated with attachment. Finally, this entry addresses biological underpinnings that begin to explain why attachment may be linked with educationally relevant outcomes in young children.