Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education

by Isabelle C. Hau

The most important aspect of early childhood in general and education in particular is the quality and care of the relationships a child forms. Love to Learn shows how to build and develop these relationships -- and unlock every child's true potential.

Early relationships are the key to healthy brain development, resilience, and lifelong flourishing. Children need to be loved, to be valued, to interact, and to be listened to. When children have the space and time to play and explore through nurturing positive relationships, then children learn. But loving relationships are precisely what so many children are missing, and modern factors are making it more difficult for children to build these necessary bonds. Kids are growing up in smaller families with fewer siblings, and in more single-parent households. They have fewer adult family friends and mentors. They have less contact with grand-parents and grand-adults. They spend 60% less time with friends than children did a decade ago. They play outside less—half the time spent by their parent’s generation. They find themselves increasingly immersed in solitary realms of screens, a modern sanctuary where parents seek refuge as well. Many kids are so overscheduled they have less time to build friendships
 
Love to Learn offers a vision for a future where learning is relational, and love is a literacy. It is a provocative paradigm shift, from child-centered education to relationship-centered learning. It weaves in stories of perseverance, empathy, creativity, and showcases innovations anchored in the latest neuroscience and technology advance – all driven by the desire to unlock the inherent human potential in any child.
 
This hope-filled book seeks to change how we raise our children, how we run early learning environments, and how we construct care-full communities. It aims to inspire and engage readers, catalyze new solutions, and in doing so, change our understanding of childhood itself.
 

Genres: Parenting

336 pages, Hardcover

Published February 11, 2025

Reviews

[Ginny Yurich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took so many notes from this one - most intriguing is that she’s talking about AI and how it is (and will be) used with kids, covering benefits but also potential dangers. The premise is that love is foundational to learning and growth - and can AI actually provide that?

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75/5)

Thank you bunches to PublicAffairs, Isabelle C. Hau & Seal Press for my free advanced reader copy of Love to Learn!

I really enjoyed this, although at times I felt the research cited wasn't strong enough to warrant the generalities made. This then led me down a spiral of wondering if I should look up every study to make sure I wasn't taking something as truth that may have more to it.

While I first think "okay, that's a 'me' problem though, I should just look it up!" There are SO MANY different studies and references that it would take forever, it just isn't feasible. So I'm firm in my opinion. I wish there was more to prop up a lot of the claims made. I wasn't to also make clear that I'm not saying I disagree with the points she's made! I'm saying I want them to be even stronger so they're irrefutable in the face of ignorance.

Again, thank you bunches to PublicAffairs, Isabelle Hau and Seal Press for free ARC!

[cinlin]

rec: Gloria