Renowned Vancouver-based developmental psychologist Dr. Gordon Neufeld spoke to the IMFC about the importance of healthy attachment between children and parents. In part two, he spoke further about the nature of child development. In part three, he spoke about bullying.
Parents may hear psychologists talk about "attachment," but what does that mean? Attachment is the longing for human togetherness. We seek emotional closeness, intimacy, love, to belong, to matter. Dr. Gordon Neufeld explains:
Parenting and teaching seem tougher these days. We've never had more tools, books and experts, but none of it counts. What counts is whether a child is attached to the adults responsible for them. If they are, they're more receptive, teachable, and easier to take care of. Dr. Gordon Neufeld explains:
Children seek out a sense of connection, closeness, belonging, significance. If they don't find this at home, they look for it elsewhere. They become preoccupied with the pursuit of proximity, but it's not fulfilling, so there is no rest. Dr. Gordon Neufeld explains:
Warning signs parents can look for:
1) The child loses their sense of connection to the family when physically apart.
2) A child preoccupied with contact and closeness - clutching, clinging, pursuing it always
3) A child attached to the wrong individuals - those not responsible for them - and it gets in the way of their bond with you
4) A child insecure in their attachment to you - showing a lack of trust and closeness
Many parents believe their children will be better socialized by going to daycare, preschool or full-day kindergarten. But according to Dr. Neufeld, these children become more social for the wrong reasons.
Dr. Neufeld points to "three indicators of developmental readiness that would totally transform our understanding of when to send a child to school."
Dr. Neufeld explains that new trends in education have swept out solid research on child development.
According to Dr. Neufeld, when a child feels vulnerable, they become hardened to their own feelings. Once that happens, the natural instinct they have to take care of others gets warped – into a desire to dominate them.
If a bully spends enough time with an adult who genuinely cares about them – who is caring but also firm – their heart will begin to soften. When that happens, the bully can even become fiercely protective of other kids.
Bullies can hide their bad behavior from adults. But there are two signs to watch out for:
1) Do they always have to take charge and have the last word?
2) Do they flee from hard feelings? (They “don’t care” about anything)
We have to bring children back into orbit around the adults who care for them. Kids should also have some responsibility for younger children. This creates a natural hierarchy, so that kids don’t substitute their own peer hierarchy.