Brazilian children's behavioural differentiation between the mother, unfamiliar adults and professional caregivers

Abstract

This study took place in two organisations with opposite socio‐economic characteristics which gather children (one to four years), their mothers (or nannies), unfamiliar adults and professional caregivers. Pursuant to attachment theory, the children clearly differentiated their mothers from unfamiliar adults according to proximity indicators and time in oriented behaviours. Children's behaviours towards the professionals were assessed on the same criteria: interactions with the professionals were characterised by availability without great proximity; no difference appeared between mothers and nannies. Children's behaviours towards adults were mirrored by adults' behaviours towards children. Implications in the qualification of the relationship to non‐parental caregivers are discussed.

Keywords:

• mother
• unfamiliar adults
• professional caregivers
• nanny
• attachment
• Brazil

Acknowledgements

This article is based on a doctoral dissertation funded by the Lavoisier grant, offered by the French Foreign Affairs Department. I wish to thank the parents and children who participated in this study, along with the organisations where the observations were collected. I also thank Jacques Goldberg and Jean‐Marc Poupard for their help and support.