The Compassionate Framework
Positioning compassion at the heart of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Keywords:
compassion, early child development, emotional awareness, EPIK framework, inclusive practice, kindness, relational pedagogy, respect, sense of others, sense of self, social and emotional learningAbstract
Early childhood is a formative period when the emotional, social, and cognitive foundations for lifelong wellbeing are established. This paper introduces the Compassionate Framework (CF), which comprises the EPIK Reflective Tool (EPIK RT) for assessing professional practice and the EPIK Observation Tool (EPIK OT) for enhancing approaches for children. Collectively, the tools are designed to heighten awareness and practice of compassion as the bedrock of strong pedagogy.
Drawing on evidence from developmental psychology, neuroscience, and social and emotional learning, the CF leans on four interconnected components: Emotional Awareness, Perspective Taking, Inclusive Practice, and Kindness (EPIK). Applied collectively, these components enhance children’s personal, social, and emotional development while positioning compassion as a deliberately shaped pedagogical orientation that supports practitioners in facilitating equitable early childhood experiences for every child aligned with child development philosophies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Hazel Marian, Kyle Moore, James Hughes
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