What does secure attachment look like? Children with secure attachments feel happy and show empathy to others when distressed. When they feel safe, they prefer their caregiver over strangers, they seek comfort in their caregiver and are comfortable exploring their environment when their caregiver is present. Secure attachment is seen as an essential factor in healthy development because it has lasting impacts on an individual. A securely attached child will also respond well to being disciplined because they still trust their caregiver to guide them in the right direction.