Most foster children struggle with school because of a lack of involvement by their parents which makes school very difficult. Foster children can come into care at 9 years old and have no idea how to read or know their phonic sounds. Foster children can also close down on you rather quickly when you try to work with them on educational needs.

I have found that they are more responsive when you can make it fun for them. This also can help them not feel so bad about being delayed or behind their peers or siblings.

A favorite learning game we do is like a guessing game. We play it with animals, movies, and cartoons but you can use anything. Someone thinks of an animal and... more

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In their lives they have not had an adult to provide for them or care for them. It is very possible when an adult had control over them the control was used to abuse, misuse, and hurt them. So as you can imagine allowing an adult to have control of them can be very difficult. You will have to have enough patience and understanding for yourself and the foster child. In the beginning the child will not believe what you say or what you are trying to do for them.

I had a three year old little boy that was the parenting figure and provider for his two year old... more

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This is where having your own children model how to be a friend and how to act like a child. You may have to become creative and setup situations that a foster child can be successful in. The foster child will need guidance and help through this process. They need to be successful at this so this why you may need to set up a positive experience for the foster child.

Foster children have a very difficult time fitting in and being accepted. I have found that activities away from school seem easy to set up for a positive experience for the child and it works better... more

Sadly to say that most foster children do not have the experience of a childhood or being a child. They have spent their lives caring for siblings and themselves. At times even caring for their bio parents that are unable to care for themselves due to drugs and alcohol. They have the responsibility that most adults have, providing food, cleaning the house, and finding a way to meet their needs along with their siblings needs.

It is not uncommon to see three or four- year olds come into foster care still trying to care for younger siblings. The role of caretaker is not something they know how to give up or want to give up easily. This is something that will take time and patience... more