This study of children in residential care in Pakistan finds that perceived institutional neglect is strongly linked to attachment insecurity, emotional dysregulation, and conduct problems, with attachment insecurity acting as a key mediating factor. The study highlights the importance of enhanced caregiver training, emotional support mechanisms, and the establishment of nurturing and stable environments within residential institutions to promote children’s psychological well-being and social adjustment.

This study explores how minors in out-of-family care in Belgium experience placements and what improvements they recommend, based on interviews with youth in residential facilities. It finds that placements are often confusing and disruptive, and emphasizes the need for more child-centered, developmentally appropriate care that addresses both emotional needs and everyday living conditions.

This study of young people in residential care in Romania finds that childhood trauma and maladaptive coping are linked to poorer perceived social skills, while adaptive coping is associated with better outcomes. It also shows that self-efficacy plays a key moderating role, highlighting the importance of building both confidence and adaptive coping skills to support healthy social development regardless of trauma exposure.

This scoping review highlights the limited evidence on young people aged 15–17 entering care for the first time, with only five studies meeting inclusion criteria. It finds that care entry for this group is linked to complex individual and family factors, underscoring the need for more diverse and in-depth research to better inform early interventions and prevention strategies.

This study finds that grandparenting as primary care in China is generally associated with lower overall and social-emotional development among preschool children. However, it can have a protective effect for children living with a single parent—particularly in low-income families—highlighting the need for targeted support and training for grandparent caregivers.

This working paper by Joan Lombardi, senior advisor to the Collaborative on Global Children's Issues, and Lauren Simmons provides a brief overview of the risks and potential of early childhood and the changing climate and showcases a dozen innovative approaches where early childhood and climate sectors have successfully converged.

In this book about the birth of our species, The Origin of Language argues that it was not hunting, fighting, or tool-making that forced early humans to speak, but the inescapable need to care for our children.

This position paper underscores that Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a fundamental human right, essential for ensuring that all children have the opportunity to survive and to thrive – regardless of socioeconomic status, gender, or crisis situation.

This consensus statement on youth in foster care makes a case for a developmentally informed system of care. Although it avoids making specific policy and practice recommendations, it identifies general areas where research can inform change.

This systematic review of open-access research examined the effects of parental separation on children, identifying a wide range of adverse outcomes including neurological changes, trauma, abuse, poor academic performance, mental health disorders, and risky behaviors. The risk is highest between ages 9 months and 9 years, particularly when separation is abrupt, occurs in preschool years, involves care by strangers, or coincides with a change of residence.