Early Psychomotor Development in Alternative Care in Argentina: Differences between Foster Care and Institutional Care

This study aimed to analyze significant differences in psychomotor development over four months across three assessments in three groups of children: those in foster families (Group 1), those in institutional care (Group 2) —both of whom had been separated from their biological families due to maltreatment— and children in biological families without history of maltreatment or alternative care (Group 3). A non-experimental quantitative approach with a longitudinal design was employed. The sample consisted of 90 children, 30 in each group, under 36 months of age. Two Argentine tests were utilized: the National Screening Test (PRUNAPE) and the Child Development Observation Instrument (IODI) to assess development at three different time points: upon admission to alternative care and after two and four months of staying there. Groups 1 and 2 scored significantly lower on expected developmental milestones in fine motor, gross motor, language-communication, personal-social, and socio-emotional areas, and had the highest at-risk scores in communication, motor, and socio-emotional domains. However, after two and four months in foster care, Group 1 achieved developmental outcomes comparable to those of children in biological families. In contrast, Group 2 scored significantly lower on expected milestones and higher on at-risk milestones. Foster care facilitates contextual changes that promote resilience following maltreatment.