Which statement describes secure attachment in toddlers when a caregiver returns?

Which statement describes secure attachment in toddlers when a caregiver returns?

• A. May avoid parents; withdrawn, quiet, anxious.
• B. Disorganized attachment
• C. Ambivalent attachment
• D. Greet parents with positive emotions; content, engaged, on task.

Answer: (D)

Secure attachment shows up in a toddler’s reunion with the caregiver as a warm, positive greeting followed by contentment and continued engagement with the activity. This pattern reflects a caregiver who is a reliable base: the child seeks comfort when needed, recovers quickly after distress, and then returns to exploring and interacting with the environment. The emphasis is on that positive emotional welcome and the ability to stay engaged and task-oriented after the initial relief of seeing the caregiver. In contrast, avoidant patterns would involve withdrawal or little contact after the return; ambivalent patterns would show clinginess and difficulty soothing even after the caregiver returns; disorganized patterns would display inconsistent or disoriented behavior.

Secure attachment shows up in a toddler’s reunion with the caregiver as a warm, positive greeting followed by contentment and continued engagement with the activity. This pattern reflects a caregiver who is a reliable base: the child seeks comfort when needed, recovers quickly after distress, and then returns to exploring and interacting with the environment. The emphasis is on that positive emotional welcome and the ability to stay engaged and task-oriented after the initial relief of seeing the caregiver. In contrast, avoidant patterns would involve withdrawal or little contact after the return; ambivalent patterns would show clinginess and difficulty soothing even after the caregiver returns; disorganized patterns would display inconsistent or disoriented behavior.