Helping Your Child Build Confidence and Resilience: Understanding the Circle of Security
Welcome, families! At our daycare center, we prioritize your child’s emotional well-being and development. One of the key approaches we use is the Circle of Security—a relationship-based framework designed to help caregivers understand and respond to children’s emotional needs.
What Is the Circle of Security?
The Circle of Security gives parents and caregivers a visual guide for creating secure attachments with children. These attachments are essential for fostering confidence, resilience, and healthy development.
How Can You Use the Circle of Security?
Here’s a simple checklist for implementing this approach in daily interactions with your child:
1. Be Present and Observant
- Watch for cues from your child indicating their needs—whether they’re seeking comfort or ready to explore.
- Stay attuned to their emotional signals.
2. Support Exploration
- Encourage your child to explore their environment, knowing they can return to you when needed.
- Be available to guide and assist when challenges arise.
3. Welcome Their Return
- Offer comfort, protection, and reassurance when your child seeks closeness.
- Help them organize their feelings and feel understood.
4. Be Bigger, Stronger, Wiser, and Kind
- Balance being nurturing while setting boundaries.
- Take charge, when necessary, always with kindness.
5. Repair Ruptures
- If there’s a disconnect between you and your child, acknowledge it and rebuild trust through empathy and understanding.
6. Reflect on Your Own Responses
- Be mindful of how your reactions impact your child.
- Seek support or training if needed to enhance your caregiving skills.
Resources for Learning More
Explore these helpful tools and resources:
