Writer New research is changing what American experts believe about child development, child custody and the importance of fathers in children's lives. Earlier this month, Dr. Joan Kelly, an expert in child development and divorce mediation, presented some of the new findings to a midwinter conference of Alabama's judges. And they form those attachments not just to their mother. We now know that multiple attachments is the norm. Assuming both parents are involved, children begin to form attachments to their mother and father at about the same time.
Infants can tell their mothers from other mothers in three days.
Two days later, they can tell dad from other fathers. The ability to form good attachments is important to a child's later success in life. Securely attached children are more independent, more cooperative and empathetic and more socially competent. They are more inquisitive, have higher self-esteem and solve problems better. One of the problems with foster care for young children is the potential for a cycle of attachment and loss, Kelly said.