Infancy (0-2 years) Reliance on Others for Coping ■■
reflexes develop into patterns of linked behaviour o infant
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learns that crying results in attention from the caregiver and therefore cries when in need
relies heavily on caregiver to regulate their internal and external environment to reduce distress o coping
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is mainly achieved via the caregiver
hen distressed the infant seeks contact, comfort and social support from their caregiver via crying (see w Attachment) o seeks
and reaches for caregiver for comfort and/or to escape the stressful situation
o soothed
by caregiver’s responses (e.g. touch, skin to skin contact, stroking, massage, warmth, holding, cuddling, ‘snuggling in’, rocking, soothing vocalisations, feeding)
o from
approximately 12 months will be ‘emotionally refuelled’ by caregiver when upset, tired or angry, sitting on their lap and cuddling for a few minutes to calm down
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may shy away or hide face when threatened or overwhelmed
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social referencing occurs from around 9 months
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cquires new information about objects, environments and the effects of their own and others’ actions via play a (see Play)
Independent Coping Strategies ■■
engages in some self-soothing behaviours (e.g. sucking thumb, stroking)
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may have a comfort object (e.g. toy or blanket)
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development of locomotion allows the infant to move away from/escape an undesirable situation o gaze
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Social referencing
When in an unfamiliar situation the infant looks to the caregiver and gauges their emotional reaction. They then use this information to inform their own response
aversion decreases and turning/moving towards another object increase
l anguage development allows for the child to express their needs in words from around 15 months (see Language Development) Coping
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