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Reviewed are studies of attachment, separation anxiety, and caregiver intervention techniques and strategies. Discussion of attachment centers on patterns of attachment and children's behavior in the "strange situation." Discussion of separation anxiety indicates that the phenomenon occurs in many different cultures. Topics covered include: (1) initiation and termination of the fear; (2) individual differences; (3) predisposing factors; (4) associated debilitating effects of separation anxiety; (5) normal separation anxiety at entrance to nursery school; and (6) criteria for diagnosis of clinical separation anxiety disorder. Discussion of intervention techniques deals with methods for preparing children for separation experiences, familiarization visits to centers, gradual adjustment to the center, home visits by and conferences with caregivers, security through transitional objects, effects of displaying photographs of the child and family in the day care environment, benefits of symbolic and dramatic play, use of literature and storytelling to comfort distresed children, and parent responsibility in leave-taking. Initial distance of caregiver from child, use of indirect contact by caregiver, and resemblance of caregiver to child's mother are considered in regard to their influence on the child's reaction to separation. (RH)