At a local community center's drop-in crèche, three toddlers—Chloe, Isaac, and Harper—are left by their mothers for the first time. The childcare supervisor observes their reactions during the separation and when a friendly assistant approaches them:

• Chloe becomes extremely distressed when her mother leaves, screaming and throwing herself at the door. When the assistant tries to soothe her, Chloe reacts with high anxiety and refuses to let the assistant come near.
• Isaac shows no distress when his mother departs and continues building a tower. When the assistant enters the room, Isaac remains completely calm and plays alongside her without seeking attention.
• Harper is visibly saddened by her mother’s departure and whimpers, but soon settles down to look at a book. When the assistant approaches, Harper is initially cautious but accepts a puppet and smiles.