The first 1001 days are now recognised to be important for the long-term development of children because of the impact of early interactions with primary caregivers on the infant and toddlers rapidly developing brain, and their growing sense of who they are as a person.
Young children who receive timely and responsive care particularly when they are distressed develop a secure attachment and begin to build up a picture of themselves as lovable and having agency, and of other people as being trustworthy. These children are able to use the adults around them as a ‘secure base’ from which to explore the world. Infants and toddlers who receive caregiving that is punitive, unpredictable or overly intrusive are more likely to be insecurely attached and to develop a less positive picture about themselves and other people. These children are less able to use adults as a secure base from which to confidently explore and learn.
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