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

This special webinar allowed us to dig deeper into the importance of relationships in early education with Love to Learn author Isabelle Hau of Stanford University and a panel of expert commentators who shared their perspectives on how we can enhance these vital connections.

Meera Mani, Ed.D., with The David and Lucile Packard Foundation moderated the webinar and began by emphasizing the importance of the book’s messages and the call to action it presents.  

Hau framed the conversation by discussing the urgency of the book’s release in light of societal changes and technological advancements that often undermine meaningful relationships. She emphasized that in a time when technology dominates much of the learning experience, it’s crucial to remember that the foundation of effective learning is rooted in human connection. Hau explained that love is the most important tool we have to combat the increasing stress children face, citing extensive research that shows how love not only mitigates stress but also promotes brain development and resilience. 

She further stressed that relationships should be at the center of policy, educational environments, and technology design, so that every child has access to the protective benefits of love and connection. Hau’s call to action was clear: We need to make relationships visible and prioritize them across all sectors, from family to education to the tech world, to ensure that children’s emotional and cognitive development thrives.

Attendees then heard from David W. Willis, MD, FAAP, with Georgetown University who expressed appreciation for Love to Learn’s focus on relational health. He emphasized the critical need to address the relational deprivation crisis affecting child health, development, and learning. Rather than focusing solely on the challenges, Willis encouraged attendees to view this moment as an opportunity — one that requires us to build stronger social networks and community support around children and families. He stressed that fostering relationships, particularly those that are responsive and nurturing, is essential to children’s development. Willis also pointed out that these connections help children manage stress and build resilience, ultimately enhancing their capacity to learn and grow.

Kali Thorne Ladd of Children’s Institute continued the conversation by describing Love to Learn as a “need to have” rather than a “nice to have” and emphasized the importance of Hau’s message that we are wired for love. Acknowledging this, Ladd shared the need for teacher preparation programs to incorporate neuroscience and behavioral psychology, particularly focusing on the critical role that love and emotional well-being play in student learning. She emphasized that by integrating these insights into education systems, we can ensure that children not only have the cognitive tools to succeed but also the emotional foundation to thrive in their relationships and communities.

Lastly, attendees heard from Gloria Corral with Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) who praised Hau’s book and highlighted its urgent message about the importance of early childhood development and educational equity. Corral highlighted the critical role of validating language and culture, particularly in a moment where these aspects are under attack. She stressed that love in the early years is expressed through touch, words, and language, and that this should be nurtured within each community’s cultural context.

She stated, “Technology is and should be leveraged as a valuable way of enhancing relationships. But it’s the love that comes with the human-to-human interactions that has to be foundational in the work. That includes [honoring] language, culture, and history in order for our collective well-being to be valued and nurtured.” 

“There is a lot of stress right now. But as Isabelle [Hau] lays out and as the research lays out, love is the single greatest protective factor to mitigate stress in the brain and to create resiliency. If there was ever a time that we needed to lean into love, not just for our children, but adults…now is that time.” – Kali Thorne Ladd, Children’s Institute

If you were able to attend the session, we would love to hear your feedback! We appreciate your help in filling out the following form as we seek to learn and understand the perspectives, ideas, critiques and recommendations that better inform our key audiences.