ABSTRACT
Relationships are central to the healthy development of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Babies internalize the patterns of their earliest caregiving as they learn to calm and soothe themselves. From the security of their earliest relationships, babies begin to explore the world and take on the mental and emotional challenges it presents. Without caring relationships, babies and young children cannot learn to calm and regulate their emotions, trust in the responsiveness of other human beings, or learn and grow.
