1. 1
Where does play
fit with attachment theory?
Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk
Univ of Dundee & connected baby
Upstart & KEYU Conference
March 2019
My point:
Children need this.
My point:
Children need this.
“Any adults who speak up and raise the child’s right to
develop naturally at their own pace, through play, are
quickly judged and categorised as political troublemakers.”
– Kathryn Solly
We’ve been saying it a long time
1905ish – Patrick Geddes – Town Planner
http://www.greenyondertours.com/documents/NaturePlayNotes.pdf
1903 – Canongate, Edinburgh -- Lileen Hardy
https://www.historyscotland.com/articles/scottish-history/the-story-of-kindergarten-pioneer-lileen-hardy
Political troublemaker
We’ve been saying it a long time
Free Kindergarten Movement
Where does
attachment theory fit?
2. 2
What is attachment? Bonding? Nope – It’s this too!
April 2017
Dr. Diana Divecha, Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence
www.developmentalscience.com/blog/2017/3/31/what-is-a-secure-
attachmentand-why-doesnt-attachment-parenting-get-you-there
“In spite of the long scientific history of
attachment theory, psychologists have
done a rather poor job of
communicating what a secure
attachment is and how to create one.”
Attachment Model
DistantClose
Attachment Model
DistantClose
Attachment Model
Close Distant
3. 3
Attachment Model
Safe Uncertain
Attachment Model
UnknownKnown
Attachment Model
AdventurePredictable
Attachment Model
PlayFamiliar
Attachment Model
Outside your
Comfort Zone
Comfort Zone
“In Bowlby’s view, playing and
being creative are key
components of exploration, for
which a reasonable level of
secure attachment is required.”
- Arturo Ezquerro, 2015
Play & Attachment Theory
4. 4
ACES
2015
ACES
2015
Let’s see attachment in action Attachment Model
Close Distant
Attachment Model
Emotional
Closeness
Distant
Attachment Model
Emotional
Closeness
Emotional
Closeness
5. 5
April 2017
Dr. Diana Divecha, Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence
www.developmentalscience.com/blog/2017/3/31/what-is-a-secure-
attachmentand-why-doesnt-attachment-parenting-get-you-there
“Attachment is a relationship in the service
of a baby’s emotion regulation and
exploration. It is the deep, abiding
confidence a baby has in the availability
and responsiveness of the caregiver.”
- Allan Sroufe
February
2019
“(By measuring blood flow to the brain), the study
was able to confirm that both angry and happy
vocalizations were activated in the infant’s fronto-
cortical network. The results showed that…greater
experience with a directive/controlling style of
caregiving (as opposed to a responsive style)
heightens the infant brain's ability to detect and
respond to angry vocalizations. This may be a
result of the stress produced by a
directive/controlling style.”
“By measuring blood flow to cortical areas of the
brain, the study was able to confirm that both
angry and happy vocalizations were activated in
the infant’s fronto-cortical network. The results
showed that the level of activation in response to
anger was greater for those infants whose mothers
were more directive in their interactions. This
suggests that greater experience with a
directive/controlling style of caregiving (as
opposed to a responsive style) heightens the infant
brain's ability to detect and respond to angry
vocalizations. This may be a result of the stress
produced by a directive/controlling style.”
No
conflict
Attachment Model
DistantClose
Secure base Play
Attachment Model : Secure
Outside your
Comfort Zone
Comfort Zone
Secure base Play
6. 6
Attachment Model : Insecure
Outside your
Comfort Zone
Outside your
Comfort Zone
Secure base Play
Let’s see attachment & adventure
in action again
“Life is best organized as a
series of daring ventures
from a secure base.”
- John Bowlby
J Thank you J
