ABSTRACT
The infant is totally dependent on the carer for survival, protection and comfort. J. Bowlby considered infants have an innate and evolutionary need to be close to an adult carer, predominantly the parent, seeking care and comfort. Attachment theory and its subject matter was re-emphasised from the mid-twentieth century to mirror the economic and political climate of the period in England. M. Rutter considered the importance to emotional development and maternal deprivation as a “vulnerability factor” rather than a causative agent, with several varied influences determining which life path a child will take. Leading on from nappy changing and the physical handling of infants for health purposes is a consideration of the appropriateness of touch in Early Childhood, Education and Care settings. E. Loizou’s study illustrated how humour with infants can become part of the care routine, evaluating how six infants in a group child care setting produced and appreciated humour.
