Exploring parental perception about the importance of parent- child attachment for child development in early years

Abstract

Attachment is a relationship bond between young children with their parent or primary caregiver. This relationship develops in early age and it has a long term impact on growth & development. After birth a child starts to communicate with the primary caregiver for their emotional & physical needs (Anna Freund, 2020). Research shows that the quality of parent-child attachment is related to development in early year and later socio-emotional and physical health outcome (Ali. E., 2021). The objective of the study is to know the parents’ knowledge about the importance of the parent- child attachment for child development in early years. This qualitative study was conducted in the Agrabad area of Chattogram city among the 10 educated parents (five mother and five father), who have children of 2 to 5 years of age belongs to middle class starting from July to November 2022. Participants were selected using convenient sampling technique. Data was collected using the IDI guideline. All the parents were unknown about the term ‘Parent-child attachment’; but they understood the parent-child internal relationship and they explain this relationship in different own language. The finding also showed that all the parents were very much concern about their child’s proper development and they know early age is the right time to teach and guide the children. They also highlighted that children imitate and follow parents since very early age as they are intimately related by heart and only place of safety and security. Though the parents don’t know, the impact of parent-child relationship on child development. The parent’s attitude towards their child explains that secure attachment makes the child an ideal citizen. Findings suggest that awareness program regarding attachment and its importance for child development is required for the parents.