ABSTRACT
Children require extensive nurturing and a secure attachment for optimal development to unfold, including the development of healthy sociomoral capacities that form the foundation of compassionate spiritualties. The evolved developmental niche (EDN) is the ecological system of care provided by families, teachers and communities that aligns with the maturational schedule of the child, fostering a secure attachment and promotion of well-being. Through the implementation of the EDN, the child’s neurobiological architecture is nurtured, most especially the social bonding hormones of oxytocin, vasopressin and endogenous opioids, catalyzing the development of sociomoral capacities of compassion, humility and responsible action. Well-nested children and adults demonstrate social and moral flexibility, adapting to situations and others with emotional intelligence and relational attunement. Educators can provide the EDN in their classrooms through the implementation of alloparenting, recognizing their responsibility to be responsive, nurturing caregivers. Specific ways to promote the EDN in the classroom are discussed, where children’s needs are met through free play, self-direction and nature connection. As the world faces unprecedented conflicts and health crises, promotion of the EDN offers a path to develop capacities of cooperation and compassion that can potentially impact not only individual families and classrooms but societies at large.
