Fostering
/ˈfɔːstərɪŋ/
verbnounB2present participle (verb); gerund (noun)
Definition
Fostering is the act of encouraging or supporting growth, development, or improvement in a person, idea, or thing. It often involves giving care, attention, or help so something can become better or stronger. In family contexts, fostering means caring for a child temporarily, usually when their own family cannot care for them.
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See It in Action
To encourage growth, development, or improvement
- •The teacher is fostering creativity in her students.
- •Good communication fosters trust between people.
- •The company is fostering innovation through new ideas.
To care for a child temporarily (without adoption)
- •They are fostering a child until a permanent family is found.
- •The foster parents provide a safe home for children in need.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "fostering" like "helping" (A1 word), but with a special focus on growth and care over time, not just a quick action.
- ✓Picture a gardener watering and caring for plants so they grow healthy and strong.
- ✓It's the warm feeling when you support a friend or a child to become their best self.
- ✓Sounds like "FOST-er-ing" → imagine someone "hosting" or "offering" care and support to something or someone.
- ✓Think of stories where a family takes care of a child who is not their own, helping them feel safe and loved.
- ✓NOT like "adopt" (which is permanent), fostering is temporary care and support.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" or "leave" — fostering means active attention and help.
- ✓NOT like just "help" (which can be short), fostering is about ongoing care and growth.
Try Other Words
- •Encouraging: giving support or confidence (Use when focus is on giving hope or motivation)
- •Nurturing: caring for and helping growth (Use when emphasizing care and development)
- •Supporting: providing help or assistance (Use in general help contexts)
- •Caring for: looking after someone or something (Use especially for people or animals needing attention)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "foster" (root) + "-ing" (suffix showing ongoing action or noun form)
- •Etymology: From Old English "fostrian," meaning to nourish or bring up a child
- •Historical development: Originally meant to feed or nourish children not born to you; now also means encouraging growth in ideas or qualities
- •Modern usage: Used for temporary child care and for encouraging development in many areas like skills, feelings, or projects
Reflect & Connect
•How can fostering ideas be different from fostering people? What changes and what stays the same?
•Can fostering always be positive, or can it sometimes lead to problems? How would you tell?
Fill in the blanks
1.The teacher is fostering ___ in her students by giving them freedom to create.
2.Fostering a child means providing ___ care until a permanent family is found.
3.Good communication helps in fostering ___ between team members.
4.Unlike adoption, fostering is usually ___ and temporary.
5.Parents who are fostering often need to give extra ___ and attention.
6.Companies that focus on fostering innovation want to ___ new ideas grow.
7.When someone is fostering trust, they are helping others feel ___ and safe.