Similar to parental figures or caregivers to children, educators in the classroom develop mental frameworks for their various relationships with their students. These mental frameworks constitute a teacher's emotional beliefs and expectations about their professionalism and role-model abilities as a teacher for their students. Furthermore, it is found that attachment theory in educators is very important to their emotional wellbeing. 

Oakland University

Attachment theory comes from the joint and individual works of psychologists John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. The theory proposes that humans are born with a need to form close, emotional bonds with a caregiver and this bond created in early years can affect a human’s relationships for the rest of their life. The theory changed the way researchers thought about a child's tie to their mother and how disruptions through separation, deprivation, and loss can have lasting effects.

Attachment Theory

Spilt, J. L., Koomen, H. M., &amp; Thijs, J. T. (2011). Teacher wellbeing: The importance of teacher–student relationships. Educational Psychology Review, 23(4), 457–477. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-011-9170-y 

Teacher wellbeing: The importance of teacher–student relationships

Bretherton, I. (1992). The Origins of Attachment Theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth. Developmental Psychology, 28(5), 759–775. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.28.5.759

The Origins of Attachment Theory

A child's attachment generally develops in phases as they grow:

•	0-6 weeks of life is known as the asocial phase

•	6 weeks to 7 months indiscriminate attachments are formed

•	7-9 months specific attachments are created

•	10 months and onwards, multiple attachments are established

Attachment Phases in Babies

Attachment Theory In a Teacher's Relationships with Students

A person's attachment style refers to an array of knowledge, expectations, and insecurities that an individual has about themselves and their close relationships. Attachment styles have been found to be more malleable in childhood and adolescence than in adulthood. The way caregivers respond to their infants, especially during times of distress, can determine the types of patterns of attachment the children form. A person's attachment style can be classified as secure or insecure.

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