Noting that research and clinical findings confirm the connection to later emotional well-being of a secure attachment between each infant or young child and a warm, stable adult, this book addresses aspects of attachment important for caregivers of infants and toddlers. The book focuses on those aspects of attachment caregivers need to understand to become more adept at the challenging work of nurturing early positive mental health in young children. The book offers suggestions for enhancing caregivers' skills in nourishing infants' and toddlers' relationships in the child care setting. Chapter 1 of the book describes attachment as a developmental system and presents information on attachment security, the role of caregivers' sensitivity, the impact of attachment security on the child's perceptions of self-worth, and modern attachment theory. Chapter 2 focuses on attachment to early childhood caregivers and describes ways to nurture attachment. This chapter also discusses the importance of continuity of care, presents suggestions for creating a responsive environment, and includes a mental health checklist of behaviors and body signals for caregivers. Chapter 3 describes differences in infant attachment to mothers and fathers, and discusses attachment in abused or neglected infants. This chapter also discusses the importance of a secure attachment in the child care setting, explains the connection between child care quality and children's social-emotional development, provides suggestions for easing separation anxiety in child care, and discusses parent-caregiver relations. The book concludes with assurance for caregivers that they can change their own internalized working model of relationships through reflection, determination, and hard work and with suggested steps caregivers can take to develop inner resources to become a nurturing caregiver. Each chapter contains endnotes. (Contains 127 references.) (KB)