Attachment Research

So many people discount attachment parenting as permissive, ineffective and wishy-washy. I often find myself explaining why spanking, isolated time-outs and tv in the bedroom don't fit with my parenting philosophy and I wanted some research to share with the mainstream, "super-nanny", spare the rod parents who are my friends and colleagues. You would think that I would have gotten a great foundation in this research in my six years of post-secondary education; but attachment isn't encouraged in public schools, it is something that some teachers do naturally and others are baffled by.
This book was written for parents, but I think it would be a fabulous addition to child development and child psychology curriculum as well. By understanding how attachment is critical to a child's development, parents and educators can assign the appropriate value to the explicit development of secure relationships. This book clearly sites causes of disrupted attachment in addition to providing concrete methods of strengthening the bond. A securely attached child is ready to learn, grow and experience the world. Developing that attachment at home and in school allows the child to spread his or her wings and reach full potential without fear.
Positive classroom climate, minimized discipline concerns and increased higher-level thinking follow logically in an environment of secure teacher-student attachment. Building those connections helps children become confident adults who are able to build connections themselves. Shouldn't that be a skill we are explicitly teaching?
http://www.newtoncenter.net/attachment_connection.html