Foster care: the unique system where babies, children, and young adults move from their birth family to live with other families. Why? Because their home environment is unsafe, unsuitable, or because of a parent’s short-term illness. In fact, there are many reasons why this might occur, but the main takeaway is that it is never the child’s fault.
Foster care is a system full of selfless, giving people who want and are willing to put in the hard work to make a real difference in a disadvantaged child’s life. Sometimes, children moving into foster care can initially present challenging behaviors; if these cases are not managed with love and compassion, the effects of foster care on child development can be detrimental. But when one cares for these children with the right heart, watching those who have had a difficult start in life grow, develop, and live happily, all because of you, makes it, by far, one of the most rewarding choices to make.
Traumatic starts in life come in all shapes and sizes, and how they affect a child varies dramatically. Studies have shown that in some cases, maltreatment can cause physical changes to the brain, which, if left untreated, can become permanent. Luckily, this is where foster carers step in and make a positive difference because, with consistent care, predictability, and a nurturing environment, children in foster care have the opportunity to heal emotionally, cognitively, socially, and physically, giving them a second chance at life.
Effects of Foster Care on Child Development
It is entirely normal for all children to develop at a unique rate and in their own time. Some can do things quickly, while others take a little longer. However, providing support, encouragement, and time means they catch up eventually. But for children who arrive in foster care, this is often a very different story. These children will almost always be behind developmentally in at least one area of life, but usually more. Unlike typical children, though, it’s not because they’re developing at their rate; it’s because they have missed out on critical foundations needed to progress at their rate.
One of a foster carer’s key roles is to understand the effects of foster care on child development and how and where they can make a difference. Understanding this is how a child begins their journey of healing and putting their life back together – while keeping in mind where a child has come from and the challenges they have faced – are the building blocks to fixing the problems. As a foster carer, it is important to be aware of some of the emotional, social, and cognitive challenges they will face and to know of ways they can help them jump over the hurdles standing in their way. All of which this article covers in more detail.
Emotional Development
Although many children who are moved to foster care know that home isn’t as it should be or become aware that their situation at home is not the same as their peers, the thought of leaving what they know is daunting and frightening. Understandably, their emotions will be running very high. They’ll likely be full of doubt and feel very confused. With this in mind, it’s not surprising that many children who initially enter foster care exhibit challenging behavior.
For the children, foster care is a completely unknown place that will require them to use their life skills, which are often underdeveloped anyway, to essentially start over again. Children can struggle with the instability of their situation, and making attachments with their new primary caregiver does not come easily. At the time of moving, they also don’t know whether this new situation will be better or whether they will be treated more fairly than before.
As a foster carer, this is one of the most critical moments when taking in new children. That child needs to know that you won’t give up on them, whatever they do. It’s a time for reassurance and for recognizing that every step in the right direction is a little win. Foster carers who can recognize and tune in to the child’s emotional needs while also helping them to work through their feelings are likely to help the child feel more secure and settled quicker.
Cognitive Development
Cognitive development is a child’s ability to learn, understand, and reason; this can be compromised for children in foster care. Although nature plays a big part in a child’s development, so does nurture, and when it comes to cognitive development, what goes on around you can make a huge difference to your cognitive capabilities. Some fostered children, while still living with their birth parents, are not ready to think cognitively because their fundamental needs, such as feeling safe, well-fed, warm, and sheltered, have not been met. Furthermore, they may not have accessed language, questions, and even stories, which would mean that part of their brain is underdeveloped.
Moving into foster care can also be frightening for things such as educational disruption. Being taken out of familiar places suddenly, like a school where the children have their friends, and not being able to continue their education uninterrupted can cause heightened emotions and inhibit the ability to think clearly. However, with an established routine and stability in life, always having their basic needs met, and receiving educational support, catching up and reaching their individual potential is entirely possible.
Social Development
Forming meaningful and lasting relationships for fostered children is often a challenge and a barrier that is hard to overcome. When you know that the people you should be able to trust the most have completely let you down, then you think to yourself, what’s the point? Forming and maintaining relationships can become a struggle. Feelings such as abandonment and separation anxiety are prevalent, and making new attachments can be difficult. Because how can I trust anybody again? What if I’m hurt and let down again? These feelings can be made worse when children find themselves in several foster care placements and if placements don’t go through as they had hoped.
Although initially, foster children may resist forming an attachment with you (and why would they want to after all they’ve been through? You’re a stranger), riding the most demanding days and proving that you’re there for them always can lead to some of the most profound and lifelong attachments.
Resilience and Positive Outcomes
One of the most inspiring aspects of children who have had a difficult start in life, though, is their resilience and ability to find ways forward, from darkness into light. Although this is possible, it is only possible when they have suitable support systems. Getting to know the child as an individual and understanding their trauma can help begin the journey to recovery. A journey that is first started by providing the child time and meeting their needs.
Foster carers are in a unique and privileged position to be the people who can take the time to provide and meet the fundamental needs of children or teenagers to help them heal. Although this will look different for each child, humans are quite a predictable species, meaning that the most basic needs tend to be the same. To fulfill them, one usually starts by giving them warmth, nurture, predictability, and care. All the basic needs of shelter, food, clothes, safety, sleep, and love can help a traumatized brain heal. This is why, when done correctly, the effects of foster care on child development can be astonishing, leading to many children growing up to live well-rounded, successful, and happy lives.
Conclusion
While it’s important to remember that being a foster carer isn’t always the most straightforward job, foster carers’ effect on child development means that there is a shining light for those with the toughest start. They are the heroes who can give children the continued and unwavering support they need, even through the most challenging times.
Often, just being there and building relationships with strong foundations can be enough. But foster carers go further; they use their skills and knowledge to understand what a child needs and how they can support or seek extra support where necessary to give that child the developmental boost they need. Whether that is emotional, social, cognitive, or, most likely, an intertwining mixture of them all, it’s always possible to find a way forward.
If you are considering becoming a foster carer and want to make a real difference, contact Therapeutic Family Life for more information. They can talk you through foster care and answer any questions you have.
About This Author
Hannah Harding
Hannah Harding has a bachelor's degree in Education with Early Childhood Studies. With her degree and 13 years of experience in the classroom, she has developed a deep understanding of child development. Hannah has also worked as a respite foster carer and hopes to foster long-term in the future.
