Word: fostering

Associations

Fostering means encouraging or promoting the development of something, often in a supportive way. It is commonly used when talking about relationships, skills, or growth.

• Example 1: "She is fostering a love of reading in her students." This means she is helping her students develop an interest in reading.
• Example 2: "The organization is fostering community spirit through various events." Here, it means that the organization is encouraging a sense of togetherness in the community.
• Example 3: "They are fostering a positive work environment." This signifies that they are promoting a pleasant atmosphere at work.

A well-known synonym is "nurturing." The key difference is that "nurturing" often implies a more personal and emotional support, while "fostering" can be more general and includes broader encouragement.

Substitution

You can use other words or phrases instead of "fostering" depending on context:

• "Encouraging" gives a sense of support but may not imply ongoing development.
• "Promoting" suggests an active effort to advance something, often in a public or formal way.
• "Supporting" implies assistance, but it may not necessarily suggest growth.

Deconstruction

The word "fostering" comes from the root "foster," which means to nourish or promote growth. The suffix "-ing" indicates an ongoing action. Historically, "foster" derives from the Old English word "fostrian," meaning to supply with food, shelter, or care, which relates to its current meaning of supporting growth.

Inquiry

• In what situations have you seen fostering in action, either in schools or communities?
• How do you think fostering relationships can impact a team at work?
• Can you think of a time when someone fostered a skill in you? How did that make you feel?