Running Head: Cognitive and behavioral development caused by foster care during early childhood 1
Cognitive and Behavioral development caused by foster care during early childhood
Ronesha Scott
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Cognitive and behavioral development caused by foster care during early childhood 2
Abstract
Many studies suggest foster children does not show a significant difference in cognitive and
behavioral development compared to non-foster children. However, this study proves foster
children have a greater development issue. During this study we used 2 (Foster children
cognitive development) X 2 (Foster children behavioral development) X 2 (effect on their early
childhood) between subjects of ANOVA. We study 75 children whom all had similar
backgrounds. All 75 of them were either born in Little Rock or raised in Little Rock. All the
children were between the ages of 6 to 9 years of age. The findings of our study suggest that
foster children develop slower than non-foster children.
Cognitive and behavioral development caused by foster care during early childhood 3
Have you ever wondered what cause children to developed slower than others? Well, if
your answer is yes, it’s due to a number of reasons. In fact, a small part has to do with being in
the system. During this study, I will research what effects foster care have on the cognitive and
behavioral development of early childhood. Foster care is a system that takes in minors whom
parents are not fit enough to take care of them. Those minors are giving a responsible caregiver
obtained by the state. The placement of the child is normally arranged through the government or
a social service agency. Psychologist Jean Piaget came up with stages of cognitive child
development. During this particular study we will focus on what Piaget called the concrete
operational stage. The concrete operational stage focusses on children between 7 years of age up
to about 11 years of age. During this stage, children begin to think logically about concrete
events. They begin to understand the concept of conservation. For instance, a nickel isn’t worth
