Evaluating Development Worksheet | PDF | Family | Foster Care - Free Printable

Let’s go through each scenario one by one. The goal is to think about how the child’s upbringing might have affected their life — both positively and negatively — based on what happened in their family, school, or environment.

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Scenario #1: Mark

Mark was the youngest of nine kids. His parents divorced, so he split time between two homes. He didn’t finish high school. By 13, he was using drugs. At 15, he got in trouble with the law for throwing rocks at kids. At 16, he was charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to assault and spent two years in a correctional facility.

→ Think: Being the youngest of nine means he may not have gotten much attention. Divorce can be hard on kids — moving between houses can feel unstable. Not finishing school limits future options. Drug use at 13 suggests he was struggling emotionally or socially. Legal trouble shows his behavior became dangerous. All these things likely made it harder for him to build a stable, healthy life.

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Scenario #2: Jeff

Jeff lives with his parents and younger brother. His family is religious, supportive, loving, and tries to create a nurturing home. They argue sometimes, but overall, they’re like a typical traditional family.

→ Think: Having loving, supportive parents usually helps kids feel safe and confident. A stable home with structure (like religion) can give kids values and routine. Occasional arguments are normal — doesn’t mean the home is bad. This kind of environment usually leads to better emotional health, good relationships, and success in school or work later.

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Scenario #3: Joanne

Joanne had a normal childhood, but as a teen, her mom got sick and she had a rocky relationship with her dad (they don’t talk now). As a teen, she was quiet but capable. She married at 27, but the marriage ended because of domestic abuse. She moved to a new country with a baby and sees herself as a failure.

→ Think: Even though her early years were okay, teenage stress (mom’s illness, dad conflict) probably hurt her self-esteem. Being “reserved” might mean she didn’t ask for help when needed. Marrying someone abusive suggests she may have struggled with trusting herself or setting boundaries. Moving abroad with a baby is brave, but seeing herself as a “failure” shows she’s still hurting from past experiences. Her upbringing didn’t prepare her to handle tough relationships or believe in her own strength.

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Scenario #4: Michael

Michael is one of 12 kids born to a single mom addicted to alcohol and drugs. His dad went in and out of prison. Michael repeated first and second grade, went to 11 different schools in 9 years, entered foster care at age 7, and bounced between foster homes and homelessness.

→ Think: Growing up with addiction and instability makes it super hard to focus on school or feel safe. Changing schools so often means no chance to make friends or get consistent teaching. Foster care and homelessness add trauma and uncertainty. Repeating grades shows he fell behind academically. All this chaos likely left him feeling lost, untrusted, and without support — making it very hard to succeed later in life unless he gets strong help.

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Final Answer:

Each child’s environment shaped their path:

- Mark: Lack of stability, attention, and guidance led to drug use, legal trouble, and incarceration.
- Jeff: Supportive, loving family gave him a solid foundation for healthy development.
- Joanne: Teenage stress and poor role models led to low self-worth and an abusive relationship.
- Michael: Extreme instability, neglect, and trauma caused academic failure and ongoing hardship.

Upbringing matters — whether it gives you tools to thrive or leaves you struggling to survive.