1. Attachment in the Classroom
Serena Samaniego MS, LAC, IMH-E ®

2. Opening Exercise Story Circle
Story circle- Start a story. Take turns adding a line to the story until the story comes to a natural end. Story starters, “Once upon a time a person walked into the forest…” “It was normal sunny day…”
Samaniego, 2019

3. Objectives Review attachment theory
Identify how early childhood attachment influences classroom interactions
Identify strategies for promoting security and trust within the classroom
Samaniego, 2019

4. Basics of Attachment We are connection driven beings
The first year is important
Formed over time, based on trends
Template for relationships
A child can have multiple attachment relationships
Samaniego, 2019

5. A Template for Relationships
Samaniego, 2019

6. Attachment Styles Secure- “I’m safe, you’re safe, the world is safe”
Anxious/ Ambivalent- “I’m only safe if I stay close. I don’t know what to expect from you. The world is unpredictable.”
Avoidant- “I’m don’t need to check-in because you’re never looking anyway. The world is dismissive.”
Disorganized- “I’m not safe and you’re not safe. The world is scary.”
Samaniego, 2019

7. Group Discussion
A child spends at least 50% of their waking hours during the week at school. You are attachment figures!
Share examples of how this circle occurs in the classroom
What might this circle look like in adults? Who are the safe hands for parents and teachers?
Samaniego, 2019

8. Family Systems Common family roles: Every system seeks balance
Every member has a role in maintaining the system
Change is scary, even positive change
Caretaker
Hero
Scapegoat
Enabler
Mascot
Parent
Child
Samaniego, 2019

9. The Classroom Classrooms are systems
Children use their attachment experiences as a template when finding their role within a system
Teachers do this too!
How is your classroom/school setup to achieve it’s current outcome?
How is your approach to teaching reflective of your relational templates?
Samaniego, 2019

10. Creating Safety and Trust – Group Discussion
Consider how you celebrate and encourage:
Self-awareness
Curiosity over judgement
Individuality
Exploration
Connection
Identify one thing you can modify in your classroom to enhance exploration and connection. It can be class or student specific.
Samaniego, 2019

11. Thank you! Serena Samaniego MS, LAC, IMH-E ®
Contact Information:
Serena Samaniego MS, LAC, IMH-E ®
Pathways of AZ
3295 W. Ina Suite 150 Tucson, AZ 85741
(520) office
(520) work cell
Samaniego, 2019

12. References
AdlerPedia. (2019). Retrieved from: Bergin & Bergin. (2009). Attachment in the Classroom. Educational Psychology Rev. 21: Retrieved from: content/uploads/old/ClassroomAttachment.pdf Cooper, Hoffman, & Powell. (2016). Circle of Security. Retrieved from: Mental Health Connect. (2019). School and Classroom Strategies: Attachment. Retrieved from: 0Attachment%20Strategies.pdf
Samaniego, 2019