UNDERSTANDING THE

REGULATIONS:

What Alaskan Foster Parents

Need to Know

#2

DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG

CHILD IN THE FOSTER HOME

1.0 Hour Training Credit

Written and Produced by:

The Alaska Foster Parent Training Center

1-800-478-7307

Funded by the State of Alaska

Division of Family and Youth Services

UNDERSTANDING THE REGULATIONS:

What Alaskan Foster Parents Need to Know

Many children who come into foster care have delays. Delays mean your child cannot do what a child of his age should be able to do. Delays can be physical or emotional or social. In addition, if foster parents do not actively promote a child’s development, children could fall behind in the foster home. Foster care regulations state, "a foster parent shall provide structure and daily activities designed to promote the individual, physical, social, intellectual, spiritual, and emotional development and good health habits of a child in care." Foster parents need to promote healthy development of all children in their care, but this is particularly critical for the young child in foster care.

FOSTERING THE DEVELOPMENT

OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN YOUR FOSTER HOME

Each day, have activities that mix quiet and active play, playing alone and with other children. Encourage playtime both indoors and outdoors. Be sure to include time for meals, snacks, sleep, and toileting according to the individual child.

In your home, give children regular time for:

Self-expression and imaginative play such as: crayons, paints, clay, dress up, singing, puppets, and make-believe

Physical activity both indoor and outdoors (when weather and the child’s health permit) such as: providing pillows to jump on, taking children for walks, outdoor play equipment, tricycles

Learning independence such as: how to dress, brush teeth, feed self, and make choices

Developing the mind and the ability to get along with others such as: outings, talking, books, games to play with others, blocks, puzzles, card games, hide and seek

Other requirements from the foster care regulations…

Ä Have a variety of materials, toys and equipment available that are appropriate to the child’s age. Store them safely and have at least some of the toys and materials stored so children can reach them easily.

Ä Limit TV and video viewing to no more than 4 hours a day and choose programs wisely.

What else can you do to help a child grow?

Following is a list of different ages and ways a foster parent can actively encourage a child’s development. The list also offers suggestions of toys and materials helpful to the age group. Keep your activities fun, varied and interesting to the child. You won’t go wrong! If you suspect a child is delayed in his development, contact your caseworker, public health nurse, Infant Learning Program, or community health aide for help.

For more information about the UNDERSTANDING THE REGULATIONS: What Alaskan Foster Parents Need to Know series, contact the Alaskan Foster Parent Training Center at 1-800-478-7307. In Fairbanks/North Pole, call 479-7307.

THE INFANT (Birth to 12 months)^*

To Develop the Mind (Mental Development)

• Move the baby around to different locations in out of the house.
• Surround the baby with sound: music, talking, singing, noises of other children and voices.
• Provide objects for baby to see and touch: first 1 object, then 2 or 3. (Use different sizes, colors and textures.)
• Make mobiles by attaching a variety of safe objects to pieces of ribbon or elastic: change them often.
• Play peek-a-boo and hiding games. ("Where’s Carrie’s foot?")
• Around one year of age, repeat the names of objects. ("water" "spoon" "foot")
• Provide water to play in and water toys that float.

To Develop the Body (Physical Development)

• Have baby sit up in an infant seat as soon as she is able.
• Exercise baby by moving her arms and legs in imitation of adult exercises.
• Encourage baby to crawl and pull up on things when able.
• Lay baby on a clean blanket. Let her stretch, reach and develop her crawling muscles.
• Place an object just out of reach to encourage crawling in mid-year.
• Gently rub a child’s arms and legs. Gentle massage is soothing to many babies.

To Develop the Heart (Social and Emotional Development)

• Put baby in different social settings: small and large groups, inside and outside activities.
• Expose baby to people who look different: young, old, tall, short, men, women, dark skinned, light skinned, bearded, clean shaved, high voiced, low voiced, long-haired, short-haired.
• If a woman is primary caregiver, be sure baby spends time with a man--either foster father or an important man in the family’s life. The reverse is true when the caregiver is a man.
• Always have someone hold the baby when giving a bottle so he connects the positive experience of being fed with people. Most people enjoy this; don’t hesitate to ask!

IMPORTANT TOYS:

• A plastic bucket with several objects that fit in it (safe household items like plastic measuring spoons)
• A sturdy book with large, colorful pictures (you can make this)
• A toy that makes noise when shaken: soft cuddly toys
• Colorful crib pads, sheets, room decorations
• Nonbreakable mirror or a shiny surface to look at
• Plastic and rubber toys to gum, chew on and slobber over (Clean these often!)

*Adapted from the Young Child In Foster Care: Developmental Issues by Carol Brice, Alaska Foster Parent Training Center

THE TODDLER (1 to 3 years)*

To Develop the Mind (Mental Development)

• Encourage talking. ("What’s this...?" "Try to say...")
• Help child identify and name body parts.
• Help child be aware of shapes (circle, square, triangle, etc) sizes (big, small, long, short) colors (red, blue, yellow etc) sounds (loud, soft, high, low) touch (rough. smooth. hot. cold).
• Have child carry out simple instructions ("Bring me your ABC book." or "Find your teddy bear.")
• Ask child to identify objects around him and those he sees in books.
• Have child identify an object by touch alone (hidden from sight).
• Have child imitate sounds, identify an unseen sound, and respond to whispered directions.
• Encourage recognition of a few alphabet letters (but not their sound).
• Have child help around the house: pick up leaves, bring in the paper, put away toys, dust, polish mirrors, put dirty clothes in the hamper, put something on the table.
• READ TO CHILDREN!

To Develop the Body (Physical Development)

• Help child to eat by himself--including pouring, buttering, removing wrappers, etc.
• Have child stack blocks or boxes into towers.
• Have child try to put lids on and off or screw tops on and off.
• Have child begin stringing objects on a string.
• Help child trace around objects: his hand, cookie cutters, toys. blocks
• Help child put simple puzzles together.
• Let child try riding a tricycle or pulling a wagon.

To Develop the Heart (Social and Emotional Development)

• Encourage child to share, especially as he approaches age 3; before the children have a hard time sharing.
• Have child begin to take responsibility for cleaning up his own toys.
• Encourage child to provide care for a doll or stuffed animal.
• Provide time around animals or have a pet in the household.
• Show child how to comfort someone who is hurt or sad ("Let’s give Rita a hug," or "Maybe sister would like to use your blanket.")
• Encourage child to play by himself now and then.
• Discourage child from using physical violence to get what he wants. (Hitting, biting, grabbing toys).

IMPORTANT TOYS:

• Paper, crayons, play dough
• Bean bags or plastic balls
• Things to thread on a string
• A few puzzles
• Tricycle, wagon, pull toys
• Basic building blocks
• Books (try the library or friends)
• Locking blocks (like large Leggos)
• Large pillows to jump on

^*Adapted from The Young Child In Foster Care: Developmental Issues by Carol Brice, Alaska Foster Parent Training Center.

THE PRE-SCHOOL CHILD (Ages 3, 4, 5)^*

To Develop the Mind (Mental Development)

• Encourage a child to talk. Instead of "How was your day?" which gets a one-word answer, ask "What toys did you use today?"
• Use different words for the same thing (big, huge, tremendous).
• Help child to identify colors (orange, purple, black, brown).
• Have child match items that are alike (start with identical items like two ravens and move to grouping ravens and geese with "birds").
• Have child identify items that are different. (Put four different cars and trucks and one pencil together--ask child which one doesn’t belong).
• Work on opposites. (Have child pick out a big block and then a little one; a soft object and then a hard one).
• Have child arrange things by size--biggest to smallest or the opposite way (blocks, trucks, pencils of different lengths).
• Start counting. Provide a simple understanding of numbers. ("How many kittens are there?" "Give me two cookies." "How many forks will we need?")
• Demonstrate and use direction words whenever you have a chance (behind, in front of , over, under, below, forward, backward).
• Provide books for your child and READ! A story before bedtime is a nice habit.
• Pay attention to what child is interested in at that moment to extend his knowledge. Example: Talk about the wind blowing
• Have child help cook simple things like cinnamon toast or dividing an orange.

To Develop the Body (Physical Development)

• Expose child to play equipment that encourages climbing, jumping, going up and down ladders, swinging and spinning.
• Helping child learn to do a somersault.
• Allow child to help with simple cooking that includes pouring, beating, mixing, and stirring.
• Encourage child to start undressing and then gradually dressing.
• Provide a board for your child to walk on while it’s lying on the ground: encourage child to go backward, forward, sideways, halfway, hop on, hop off.
• Have child lie on floor and instruct him to move different body parents (Move this leg, move both arms, move this arm and that leg, etc.)
• Play "Simon Says" games.
• Start teaching child to catch, first with a soft beanbag and then moving on to a large ball

To Develop the Heart (Social and Emotional Development)

• Allow child to answer telephone, talk briefly, and call an adult to the phone.
• Help child increase her attention span (listen to an entire book by himself, listen to a whole tape).
• Begin encouraging the child to take turns, play fair, and be a good loser.
• Encourage your child to say "please", "thank you", "you’re welcome" and "excuse me".
• Try to see that your child has a chance to relate positively with people from her own ethnic groups and with other people different than herself.
• Put the child’s artwork and creations up on a bulletin board, wall or refrigerator.
• Provide other children for the child to play with, in the neighborhood or church group or nursery school.

IMPORTANT TOYS:

THE SCHOOL AGE CHILD (6 to 12 years)^*

To Develop the Mind (Mental Development)

• Provide a workspace for child to do school work.
• Appreciate the child’s ideas and help them bring them to fruition. But resist the temptation to do the project on their behalf!
• Encourage child to dig deeply into a subject of interest. Let him teach you about it.
• Take a trip together to a museum or the library to discover information about something.
• Help the child start a collection-- feathers, shells, rocks, stamps --a means for child to find a self cure for those boring days away from school.
• Encourage child to plan a simple meal or special dessert by looking through recipe books. Have him make the list of ingredients for shopping list. As skills increase, allow him to prepare things alone.
• Reading aloud with a child help increase vocabulary. As a child’s reading ability increase, encourage him to read a part in the storybook.
• Simple card games can increase number recognition and math concepts (Go Fish, Rummy, Old Maid, Solitaire, etc.)
• Provide a chance for him to celebrate and learn about his culture and about cultures different than his.

To Develop the Body (Physical Development)

• Provide child with opportunities to play organized sports. (Soccer, T-ball, hockey, basketball, etc.)
• If individual sports are available and affordable, get a child involved in karate, roller/ice skating, cross-country skiing, swimming, basketball, gymnastics, etc. Fishing, tracking, camping and outdoor skills also build self-confidence.
• Fine motor skills needed for writing can be enhanced through coloring, painting, sketching, working with crafts.
• Bicycle riding provides physical challenge as well as reductions of boredom by increasing the sense of adventure. If possible, have a bicycle available for each child.
• Play active games as a family such as softball or Frisbee, or do outdoor activities such as fishing, working with dogs, hiking, fishing, or camping together.

To Develop the Heart (Social and Emotional Development)

• Allow the child to try a new skill. Curb your cautionary "Be careful! Let me do it!" and say "Hey, give it a try."
• When a child tries something new and is unsuccessful, praise him for trying.
• Expose the child to other culture, ethnic groups, and religious affiliations so he/she can learn the richness and diversity of the world in which she lives.
• Children, like adults, need time alone. Help child find a balance of active and quiet activities.
• Encourage the child to take part in household chores and responsibilities.
• Praise all school efforts. Attend programs. Maintain regular contact with the child’s teacher.
• Put the child’s artwork or school papers up on a bulletin board or refrigerator to help develop a positive self-image.
• Provide opportunities to the child to play with other children outside of school.

IMPORTANT TOYS:

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