Introduce
Self-awareness is particularly important when responding to attachment behaviours, as it enables you to respond sensitively and effectively to the child’s emotional needs. Reflecting on your own attachment styles, experiences and biases, allows you to be aware of how you might be influenced when interpreting and responding to attachment behaviours. Responses need to be attuned to the child’s needs, rather than shaped by personal reactions. Self-awareness is the ability to see yourself clearly and objectively.
Self-awareness is an important component of emotional intelligence. Emotional Intelligence was a theory developed by Salovey & Mayer who defined it as
‘the ability to perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions so as to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth.’
Mayer & Salovey, 1997
Develop
Working to develop the key components of emotional intelligence highlighted below is important if we are to understand ourselves, manage our own feelings and show empathy in our interactions.
Emotional intelligence helps practitioners recognise when they need to seek support, adjust their approach, or strengthen their own emotional resilience to provide consistent and nurturing care.
Reflect
You might have begun to consider your own early childhood experiences throughout this topic and what attachment style you have a tendency to display. These following exercises give you further space to reflect on how you relate to others and why that might be. If you find this brings up a lot of difficult feelings for you then it might be helpful for you to explore with someone else you trust or find further support here.
Stop and Reflect: Take a piece of paper and a pen. Respond to the following questions trying not to censor yourself. This is only for you to read as you develop your self-awareness around how you relate to others and why this might be.
– Spend some time thinking about your motivations for doing your current role, what has influenced your choice to work in the early years?
– Is there anything from your early history or significant attachment relationships which may have influenced your choice?