John Bowlby's Effect On Child Development

hild development is an ongoing and dynamic process of growth, transformation, learning and growth of abilities that enable children to adapt to an environment in a planned manner. (Sharma And Cockerill 2014). They also discuss that development is shaped by interactions through different influences rather than neurological maturation. This report will focus on social/emotional development and cognitive development while focusing on the relevant theorists: John Bowlby and Jean Piaget.

Emotional development is to do with the development of feelings and how a child becomes more self aware and aware of other people’s feelings. In association with the emotional development there is social development and this is to do with how a child develops relationships

His theory stems from Freud’s psychodynamic studies as well as ethology - study of animals - to create his theory about bonding and how separation due to bereavement, separation or emotional deprivation can disrupt a child’s development (Barnes, 1995). Bowlby decided to focus more on mother child separation rather than bonding, as separation is clear-cut & it’s effects on the child as well as parent-child relationships were easier to document. In his book A Secure Attachment (pg. 3), Bowbly suggested that a child’s attachment behaviour is triggered through pain or a frightening situation when the mother or mother figure isn’t available. In the first year of a child’s life they begin proximity promoting behaviour, displaying this though crying, shouting and clinging mainly aimed at the primary caregiver. Once these actions have been received and the child receives attention, the emotions subside as there is no more need to demand the attention (Barnes, 1995). “The young child’s hunger for his mother’s love and presence is as great as his hunger for food…” (Holmes, 2005, p63). Bowbly’s studies of young adolescent boys going through maternal deprivation by being in care,