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Watch
for manipulation. When recognized, limit the attention
available and redirect the toddler to another activity.
Firm limits are necessary, as the child needs to learn
to trust that you mean what you say. This is an
important part of the attachment process and if it is
not done, there is a risk of undoing any gains that have
been made. Overindulgence will harm your child, whatever
your intentions.
Watch
for opportunities to use language to help your child
understand and to express her emotions and ideas. If
your child is able to express his feelings verbally,
she?ll be less likely to act them out behaviorally.
Sing
to her, and read to her. Talk to her often, and make
sure that she knows that are listening to what she has
to say. Remove such barriers to communication as
television or other distractions.
If
you are adopting a child of this age, get as much
information as you can about his previous placements and
caregivers. If possible, contact previous caregivers,
encouraging visits, telephone calls, and cards. The
frequency of your child?s contact with previous
caregivers should lessen over time, but maintaining this
contact at this time will ease the transfer of
attachment from them to you.
Information
received in part from experience, observation, and other
texts, but also from:
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