Ideas in this flowchart

• Attachment in infancy is crucial for healthy development.
• A strong body of evidence supports the importance of early attachment.
• Neonates need attachment to their mothers or other primary caregivers.
• Secure attachment supports subsequent social and emotional development.
• Factors that undermine attachment increase developmental risks.
• Separation from the primary caregiver can result from parental absence or rejection.
• Post-natal depression among new mothers can contribute to sub-optimal attachment and development.
• Difficulties in bonding, limited skills, and negative parental attitudes increase children's risks.
• Disrupted attachment and caregiving can lead to anxiety, stress, insecurity, and behavioral problems.
• Other risks affect physical and cognitive development in infancy and early childhood.
• Maltreatment and neglect by parents or other caregivers are important developmental risks.
• Malnutrition is an important risk to early physical and cognitive development.
• Infectious or parasitic diseases also threaten early physical and cognitive development.