Erickson's Theory Analysis

Every child deserves the right to feel safe and trust the world they are living in According to the psychosocial theorist, Erik Erikson, as stated by Jacobs, Ph.D in “Will I ever see you Again?”. Erickson’s theory is made up of eight stages of psychosocial development; trust vs. mistrust, being the first of those stages. It is during this stage that infants make a judgement on their caregivers, based on basic needs and how they are met. In the “Understanding Children”by Sutherland, Monson and Hill Arbuthnot, it is noted that the major influence in a child’s life is the interaction between children and adults who care for them. At each of these stages the child may face conflict which must be resolved before the next stage is reached in
The child, especially a very young child in the foster system, needs to have quality care in a trusting safe relationship. Foster care is one of the ways to provide this security for children. Having an individual who has accepted the role of a foster parent and is willing to handle all the challenges that come with this title, can be a very positive impact on a child. Children may develop a bond with the adult who has accepted this role and follows the regulations that are in place within the state. As with parenthood, foster parents become foster parents for various reasons. Some foster homes are not always the healthiest place for a child who has been misplaced from his or her home. Older children and children who have had various encounters with foster care may enter the system with negative attitude due to neglect and maltreatment. According to Kids Count Factbook, in 2014, three-quarters (77.0%) of child maltreatment cases in Rhode Island involved neglect. Poverty, parental substance abuse, and mental health problems are the leading contributors to neglect. Achieving timely and successful reunification requires access to substance abuse and mental health treatment, as well as interventions designed to improve the economic status of
This child may not openly share his story with you or maybe a child in an early childhood program. As educators and childcare providers we need to be sensitive to the foster child and the new life they have been placed into. We need to be aware of the reason the child was placed into foster care, we also need to be informed if the child has been abused. We need to obtain as must information regarding the child and keep it confidential. Some of the cases in foster care may be upsetting and as a childcare provider you must control your emotions if you intend on providing a service to this child and his or her foster family. You need to be aware of the emotional impact visitation has on this child, monitoring his or her behaviors before and after each and every visit if it takes place from your center. As providers we must be diligent in reporting any signs that require attention to the appropriate person. A provider whom this child is placed with may be the person who this child spends most of his or her time with, as the foster parent is a working