The Gillieston Heights Centre philosophy boasts how important strong relationships with children and their families are and the impact these attachments can have on children’s futures. They work to create a safe space within their service for children and their families for Tillys to act as a “home away from home”.
Last night the team participated in professional development on ‘Circle of Security’ presented by Kathryn from Maitland Family Support as part of their Critical Reflection Forum. Circle of security is a visual map of attachment and how attachments with children can be supported by a trusted adult where children can feel free to explore their environments whilst feeling safe and secure to gain comfort from a kind, trusted adult. Attachments with young children can always be improved when they have a big, strong, wise and kind adult guiding and supporting them. Learning for young children best occurs from within a secure attachment as they feel safe and secure to explore within their environments.
They explored what both a healthy and unhealthy attachment looks like and how to recognise these in young children. They also discussed the many long term benefits children have from the development of strong attachments with trusted adults such as social competence, self regulation and a positive sense of self.
After Kathryn’s presentation the team were invited to reflect by the Educational leader on the presentation and how this applies to their daily practices. We cannot thank Kathryn enough for her presentation and we cannot wait to revisit this again with our educators.
