This section was of interest to me as not only a future teacher but as a mother as well. Since I consider myself a new mother since my son is only 20 months old I have actually wondered about whether or not his attachment to me is a healthy one or not. My son is extremely close with my husband and myself so much so that when we leave a room and he is alone is has a fit. He likes to know that at least one of us is easily accessible to him at all times. According to the book this would be considered a secure attachment and this is a good thing.
It is amazing to think that from the day that we are born we are already learning things that will carry over into our adult lives. As parents and teachers it is important to remember this at all times. Since children spend so much of their time in the classroom setting it makes sense that part of their emotional health will have to be fostered by the people caring for them in these settings. From younger children that may need help working on things like confidence or empathy up to adolescents having to deal with anxiety, worry, depression or other emotional states caused by peer pressure or a number of other things. These are all things that we need to be aware of and let our students know that they have a right to their own feelings. It is not a negative thing to feel a certain way it is more the way that you deal with and express the emotion that you are feeling that is important.
I can not agree with you more rlmmartin. Teachers have so much responsibility. It is hard to wrap my mind around the fact that the things that happen in infancy relate so closely to adult hood. As teachers we must be willing to accept this challenge, and do everything within our power to be a positive influence in the development of the children within our classrooms.
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