Child Attachment Diploma

The highly interesting psychological field of child attachment is explored in great detail in this course. Starting with a look at the main theories and theorists, the course explains the main concepts and principles clearly and we make sure we cover all the fundamental points for you. Bowlby and Ainsworth have proven to be huge contributors to the field of child attachment and their work is carefully considered within the course’s 10 modules.

This course will hopefully teach you how to think like a true expert in the field of child attachment theory. You will be taught the signs to look out for when there are any issues in this field and there are tests that can be implemented along the way to better facilitate this. By the end of the course, you should be able to apply the guiding principles of child attachment theory with relative ease.

From working as a social worker, to a child psychologist and even a classroom assistant, this course will prove to you that there is such a huge variety of roles connected with the field of child attachment. Indeed, the final module is devoted entirely to this discussion and is conveniently split between roles that are more ‘hands-on’ in the field of child attachment, compared with those that may involve this psychological niche in a little more tentative manner.

What You Will Learn

  • A detailed look at the history and evolution of child attachment theory
  • A discussion of the internal working models that are used in this field
  • We look at the main contributors to this field (e.g. Ainsworth and Bowlby)
  • You will have plenty of opportunity to fully learn the important ‘Strange Situation Test’
  • You will consider the main influences of child attachment
  • A look at the ethical considerations that must be borne in mind, especially when working with children
  • How attachment should stabilise in later childhood
  • You will consider the hugely important concept of vulnerability in relation to child attachment
  • Define ‘harm’ and look at ‘degrees of harm’ in good detail
  • A sneaky peak at just some of the myriad roles of employment that are connected with this interesting psychological niche.

Benefits of the Course

  • The ability to recognise the signs of child attachment problems
  • You will understand how to implement the ‘Strange Situation Test’
  • You will gain the skills that will enable you to work in a huge variety of fields connected with child attachment
  • Gain knowledge of a truly interesting psychological niche
  • Learn how you can make a real difference in the field of child attachment
  • The ability to study from any location with an Internet connection
  • Learn the material at any time and at your own pace
  • Lifetime access to the course – no deadlines
  • Obtain a recognised certification when completing the course, which will improve your career prospects.


Course Modules/Lessons

Module 01: Introduction to Child Attachment

  • Child attachment briefly explained and defined
  • Key terminology necessary to understand child attachment
  • Four major types of child attachment
  • How to assess and measure attachment in both childhood and adolescence

Module 02: Fundamental Concepts and Theorists in the Field of Child Attachment

  • What is child attachment?
  • Reactive attachment disorder
  • Attachment theory
  • The attachment stages

Module 03: Defining Attachment Theory

  • What is meant by the evolutionary model of attachment theory;
  • The biochemistry behind attachment;
  • How to identify attachment behaviours;
  • What is meant by internal working models;

Module 04: Attachment and Internal Working Models

  • An understanding of internal working models
  • Effects of attachment on early and later development
  • Institutionalisation
  • Secure and insecure attachment in institutionalisation

Module 05: The Main Influences of Attachment

  • How to identify the different types of sensitivity displayed by parents that are associated with the different types of attachment
  • How the different frequency and variety of emotional displays of infants are related to the response received from their mothers
  • What mind mindedness is and how it affects attachment
  • The difference between attuned and non-attuned parents

Module 06: Child Attachment Stabilisation, Psychotherapy and Neuroscientific Considerations

  • The links between psychotherapy and attachment theory;
  • The effects of attachment on brain development;
  • A range of interventions that can be implemented, if there are potential problems with the attachment between a mother and child;
  • How internal working models can sculpt the child’s developing brain;

Module 07: Understanding and Implementing the “Strange Situation Test”

  • An introductory overview of attachment theory
  • How do we measure attachment?
  • The Strange Situation Classification (SSC)
  • Results of the Ainsworth study

Module 08: Vulnerability

  • The three ways in which children are vulnerable during research projects
  • How the development of children can be negatively impacted by research and how to avoid this
  • The perils of the power imbalance that can be present during research and how to minimise the effects
  • The barrier of comprehension for young children

Module 09: Further Research Considerations Relating to Child Attachment

  • Know what the different degrees of harm are
  • Be able to identify risk factors that may indicate an increased chance of harm occurring as a result of a research project
  • Understand what an Ethical Framework is
  • Identify how the key principals of the BPS apply to the study of child attachment

Module 10: Employment Opportunities in the Field of Child Attachment

  • Introduction - do people even work in this field?
  • I want to hold a baby!
  • I don’t want to hold a baby!
  • Where you can source work

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FAQ's

  • Who can take the Child Attachment Certification course?

    There are no entry requirements to take the course.

  • What is the structure of the course?

    The course is broken down into 10 individual modules. Each module takes between 20 and 90 minutes on average to study. Although students are free to spend as much or as little time as they feel necessary on each module.

  • Where / when can the course be studied?

    The course can be studied study at any time and from any internet connected device

  • Is there a test at the end of the course?

    Once you have completed all 10 modules there is a multiple choice test. The questions will be on a range of topics found within the 10 modules. The test, like the course, is online and can be taken a time and location of your choosing.

  • What is the pass mark for the final test?

    The pass mark for the test is 70%.

  • What happens if a user fails the test?

    If the user doesn’t pass the test first time they will get further opportunities to take the test again after extra study. There are no limits to the number of times a test can be taken.

  • How long does it take to complete the Child Attachment Certification course?

    We estimate that the course will take about 20 hours to complete in total, plus an additional 30 minutes for the end of course test.