The bioecological model is based on the idea that the relationships children have with parents and caregivers impacts their development – and that these relationships are affected by their work, school, and community settings, which are in turn affected by broader social, cultural, and policy conditions. These many layers of relationships and environments interact with each other – ultimately influencing how children develop and become resilient. This theory of human development was originally proposed by Urie Bronfenbrenner and Stephen J. Ceci in 1994.
How we use the model:
The “bioecological” or “whole child” model sits at the core of our approach. We recognize the roles that individuals, families, communities, and society play in influencing children’s development and engage the whole community to support their resilience. Grounded in research, our programs share social-emotional skills, mindfulness, and compassion practices with parents, caregivers, educators, and practitioners – to support the well-being of all.
