A new book shows how parents can build a secure attachment with their children in early childhood

Picture a mother who is busy with her household tasks. Moving from loading the washing machine to unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming the floor, dusting and making the beds. Amid this din, you would think that she would not catch a whisper – phone ringing, doorbell chiming, or even the clock ticking. But then, like a superhero, she dashes to the nursery, zeroing in on her baby’s faint cry. She is like a baby whisperer, understanding her little one’s needs without missing a beat.

As she chats away, changing diapers and showering cuddles, her baby’s tears give way to smiles and coos. The mother’s routine gets frequently interrupted by the baby’s cries, and she responds knowing or guessing what her baby needs and providing it, be it comfort, a feed or some interaction. You might think these are all ordinary moments in life and consider them a given. But it’s these ordinary moments of interaction that build a bond of trust. Parents respond to their baby and help them feel safe and comfortable. And when this happens in a consistent way, day in and day out, it forges the bedrock of trust and leads to what we call a secure attachment between...

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