Happy Halloween

I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Halloween.

Don't eat too much candy!

Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children

So many times the children we advocate for have issues forming attachments due to their chaotic environment, neglect and abuse. To help you understand why this happens and how they can be helped I have posted a link to a very well written article.

Below is an excerpt from the article written by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.

What is bonding?

Simply stated, bonding is the process of forming an attachment. Just as bonding is the term used when gluing one object to another, bonding is using our emotional glue to become connected to another. Bonding, therefore, involves a set of behaviors that will help lead to an emotional connection (attachment).

Are bonding and attachment genetic?

The biological capacity to bond and form attachments is most certainly genetically determined. The drive to survive is basic in all species. Infants are defenseless and must depend upon a caregiving adult for survival. It is in the context of this primary dependence, and the maternal response to this dependence, that a relationship develops. This attachment is crucial for survival.

An emotionally and physically healthy mother will be drawn to her infant - she will feel a physical longing to smell, cuddle, rock, coo and gaze at her infant. In turn the infant will respond with snuggling, babbling, smiling, sucking and clinging. In most cases, the mother's behaviors bring pleasure, soothing and nourishment to the infant and the infant's behaviors bring pleasure and satisfaction to the mother. This reciprocal positive feedback loop, this maternal-infant dance, is where attachment develops.

Therefore, despite the genetic potential for bonding and attachment, it is the nature, quantity, pattern and intensity of early life experiences that express that genetic potential. Without predictable, responsive, nurturing and sensory-enriched caregiving, the infant's potential for normal bonding and attachments will be unrealized. The brain systems responsible for healthy emotional relationships will not develop in an optimal way without the right kinds of experiences at the right times of life.

Follow the link below to read the article in it's entirety.
Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children


Have a great day :-)

Book List from National CASA

The National CASA Association offers a book list to help improve and inspire your service to children. Program Services and Communications staffs teamed up to bring you this annotated list of more than 100 books, organized by topic.

I am an avid reader so this list was exciting to see. You will receive 3 training hours, towards your required 12 hours per year, for reading a book. This is only allowed once per year. That is not to say you couldn't read every book on the list. Winter is on it's way. Perfect snowy day activity. Curl up with a good book and a steaming cup of cocoa! Ok, I apologize, no one wants to thank about snow just yet! Don't forget you can check the Crawfordsville Public Library to see if they have any of these books on their shelves.

I hope each of you have a wonderful week. Happy Reading!

Click on the link below to view the book list.

Nation CASA Booklist