Methods used by mothers to help children during solving cognitive problem tasks: Comparison between mothers of securely and insecurely attached preschool children

Abstract

Attachment is a permanent emotional bond activated in children by signals that they perceive as frightening, dangerous or stressful, while in the parents' attachment system of care, it is activated by the goal of satisfying children's needs. The aim of this research was to determine which strategies mothers use in their interaction with children, aged 5 to 7 (N = 80) during their cognitive problem solving. More specifically, the goal was to ascertain if there is a difference in the sensitivity to children's cognitive needs on the part of mothers of securely and mothers of insecurely attached children. Compared to mothers of insecurely attached children, mothers of securely attached children more often help their child by giving it appropriate instructions (scaffolding). Mothers of insecurely attached children, in situations when the child's solution is incorrect, more often help their children by giving them long explanations, regardless whether the child listens or understands what is been said (a monologue).