Love to Learn - by Isabelle C Hau (Hardcover)

About the Book

"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. 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"--

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"Like the bold visionary she is, Isabelle C. Hau doesn't just share research on children's learning and thriving; she shows us that at the core of these studies is the crucial importance of relationships. Like the innovative "doer" she is, she doesn't just share hundreds of inspiring examples of programs that work; she shows us how each of these programs promotes relational intelligence. And like the powerful impact investor she is, she hasn't just written a book to share her wisdom; she has written a book that each of us can use to change the world."
--Ellen Galinsky, Author of The Breakthrough Years and Mind in the Making, President of Families and Work Institute


"Love to Learn is a game-changer for early education. In this insightful and inspiring book, Isabelle C. Hau masterfully weaves together science and heart, showing us how relationships are the foundation for unlocking human potential. The message is clear: love and connection are not just nice to have, they are essential for healthy brain development and lifelong success. With practical wisdom and bold vision, Love to Learn calls on educators, parents, and leaders to prioritize relational intelligence in a world that desperately needs it. This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the future of our children."--Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of Thrivers and Unselfie

"Isabelle C. Hau's Love to Learn is a pioneering work that combines the power of relational intelligence with the potential of artificial intelligence. By emphasizing the crucial role of love and relationships in early education, Hau offers a balanced and insightful framework for leveraging technology to enhance human development. This book is essential for anyone interested in the future of learning."--Sal Khan, Founder and CEO of Khan Academy; Author of Brave New Worlds and The One World House

"This book is a shining light, guiding us toward a future where 'love is a literacy' and early, stable, nurturing relationships are understood to be the essential ingredient for children to learn and thrive in both school and life. Isabelle C. Hau marries the science of foundational brain development to the literature around loving relationships in a way that is not only refreshing and instructive, but essential in this moment in history."
--Dana L. Suskind, Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at the University of Chicago Medical Center; Author of Parent Nation and Thirty Million Words

"This research-based, insightful, and optimistic book is a manifesto about the power of care and love. Our children deserve better nurturing than they are getting and it's up to all of us to make that happen."
--Anya Kamenetz, Senior Advisor to Aspen Institute and Fromer Correspondent to NPR Education, Author of The Art of Screen Time and The Stolen Year

About the Author

Isabelle C. Hau is a visionary leader who is dedicated to transforming the way we nurture and educate our children. As executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, she leverages brain science and technology to champion innovative, effective, and inclusive learning solutions. A seasoned impact investor, Isabelle previously led the U.S. education initiative at Omidyar Network and Imaginable Futures, where she helped scale mission-driven organizations. Named one of the 100 Most Innovative Women by Harvard Business School, Isabelle has also received distinctions in early childhood education and human-centered artificial intelligence. A mother of two, she co-starred with Grover of Sesame Street. Her lifelong professional goal is to bring the love of learning to each and every child.