ABSTRACT

For the first months of life a mother and baby tune in to each other’s rhythms; they develop a synchrony whereby their breathing and body language are in tune. When babies or young children are placed in day care their senses are suddenly confronted with a whole range of different sights, sounds, smells, tastes, touches and people. It is not surprising that they may squirm, stiffen and cry as they experience strange feelings, emotions and insecurities. Practitioners have the difficult task of taking on board babies, each one with unique attributes and needs, and helping them to settle, to trust them and to form close attachments with them.