Socioemotional development of infants and toddlers in the first months of foster care: A brief synthesis of 25 years of research

Abstract

Over the past 25 years, research has highlighted the protective role of foster care over institutionalization, particularly for young children. When foster caregivers provide responsive care, children benefit from a nurturing, individualized environment that supports socioemotional development. However, foster care does not eliminate developmental challenges. The first three years of life are a critical period of rapid neurological, emotional, and social growth, making early experiences especially impactful. Entering foster care during this period can disrupt existing attachment relationships, increasing vulnerability to socioemotional difficulties. Additionally, children must navigate both the effects of past adversities and the challenges of adapting to a new caregiving environment, making the early months post-placement particularly crucial for their adjustment and well-being. This review synthesizes research published since 2000 to examine early socioemotional challenges in infants and toddlers in foster care and how foster caregivers adapt during the first months of placement. Findings suggest that attachment behaviors typically emerge and stabilize within the early weeks, shaped by multiple factors at different levels, including child characteristics, pre-placement experiences, and the quality of current caregiving. Yet, research focusing exclusively on this transition period is scarce, with existing studies varying widely in both placement duration and child age. Additionally, little is known about how foster caregivers adjust during this period, despite evidence of heightened parenting stress. More longitudinal research is urgently needed to clarify how multilevel factors interact in the first months of placement and to better understand their impact on the adaptation of infants and toddlers in foster care.