ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at attachment theory and how it relates to transitions, looking closely at both secure and insecure attachment and some of the factors that influence them. It discusses children's relationships with their attachment figures and how these relate to their well-being, particularly at times of transition. Understanding attachment theory is an important step towards understanding two very important aspects of transition: a secure base and emotional resilience. Insecure attachment is complicated, and the 'Strange Situation' research identified three different categories of insecure attachment. Bowlby described them as: anxious avoidant; anxious resistant and disorganised– disoriented. Bowlby believed that the quality of our attachment relationships helps to build 'an internal working model' for each of us that describes the way in which we view the world. Increased understanding of the potential impacts of insecure attachment on children's development, behaviour and learning has led to some useful campaigns such as 'Attachment Aware Schools'.
