Abstract
Secure attachment refers to a secure emotional bond between a child and their primary caregiver, marked by responsiveness, emotional availability, and the caregiver's capacity to provide a sense of safety and comfort. In early childhood, this relational experience is widely regarded as a foundational factor in the development of self-esteem, the child's evolving sense of self-worth and self-appreciation. This article examines the role of secure attachment in shaping the self-esteem of three-year-old children by drawing together perspectives from developmental psychology and the Islamic concept of fitrah, the innate, God-given disposition that guides human growth and potential. The discussion is organized around four interrelated dimensions: parental responsiveness, emotional validation, positive affirmation, and the provision of safe opportunities for environmental exploration. Findings suggest that when these elements are consistently present, children develop a stable internal sense of security that enables them to explore their surroundings, attempt new activities independently, express themselves freely, and recognize their own competence. Collectively, these experiences point to a meaningful link between secure attachment and the emergence of healthy self-esteem during this critical developmental period. Beyond its psychological dimension, this parenting pattern also reflects an approach that honors children's inherent potential and respects the natural trajectory of their development, as understood through the lens of fitrah. Rather than positioning fitrah as a replacement for empirical findings in developmental psychology, this article treats it as a complementary and integrative framework, one that enriches and deepens the interpretation of how secure attachment contributes to self-esteem formation in early childhood, while remaining grounded in established psychological theory.