8 Powerful Insights About Early Childhood Education

Love to Learn is the #1 New release on Amazon in Early Childhood Education. Isabelle C. Hau is the author of this book about the Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education. She has so many great things to say! Let’s dig in!

In today’s episode 889 of the 10 Minute Teacher podcast, I interview Isabelle Hau, a visionary leader in early childhood education and executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. Isabelle has extensive experience in philanthropy, impact investing, and education innovation, having previously served as head of US education at Omidyar Network and Imaginable Futures.

Her new book, “Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education,” explores why relationships are fundamental to children’s development and learning. I thought I’d pull together some of her most powerful points in a way you can easily read and share with your colleagues in early childhood education. These insights might just transform how you view your important work with our youngest learners!

I hope you’ll listen to the show (or watch it) and start conversations about these important points. Early childhood education matters so much!

For over 25 years, Solution Tree has partnered with schools and districts to deliver research-driven professional development that helps teachers turn their passion into real progress for their students. See the results they’ve helped schools achieve at SolutionTree.com/10MinuteTeacher. 

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8 Powerful Insights About Early Childhood Education

1. Brain Development Happens Early

90% of brain development occurs before age five, making early childhood one of the most critical periods for formation. This foundation is essential for all types of achievement, both academic and for thriving in life.

2. We Are All “Born Billionaires”

Isabelle uses a powerful metaphor: we are all “born billionaires” with billions of neurons that need to be nourished through relationships and connections to form properly. These neural connections, or synaptic connections, are developed through social interactions.

3. Relational Intelligence Deserves More Focus

We need to broaden our notion of intelligence beyond IQ to include relational intelligence. While academia has long focused on academic-related intelligence, Hau advocates for embedding more relational intelligence into our understanding of education. She suggests there may be a connection between declining IQ scores and contracting social relationships that lead to increased isolation.

4. Play Is Essential for Development

Play is crucial for children to learn from others and develop a sense of agency and autonomy. However, young children today play outdoors 50% less than their parents did, and there’s an increasing focus on academic achievement that isn’t always developmentally appropriate.

5. Our Systems Are Too Efficiency-Focused

One of the biggest mistakes in education today is an over-focus on efficiency metrics, including testing. Education systems have become too individual-centered, when brain science shows that learning is inherently social.

6. Relationships Should Be Measured

Despite knowing relationships matter, we have very few measurements of relationships in learning environments. There are interesting innovations happening in health sectors regarding early relational health measurement, but similar measures aren’t widely available for learning settings, schools, and childcare environments.

7. Communities Need to Support Relationships

Nurturing can come from many different sources, including teachers, educators, childcare providers, parents, and grandparents. Learning environments should be designed to be more relational. Hau’s book argues that our children deserve better nurturing than they are currently getting, and it’s up to all of us to make that happen.

8. Early Childhood Educators Are “Brain Sculptors”

Early childhood educators are among the most important people in society as they are literally “sculpting brains.” Their work is extraordinary and critical for both the present and the future.

The Path Forward: Relationship-Centered Learning

Isabelle Hau’s work represents a paradigm shift from child-centered education to relationship-centered learning. Her book “Love to Learn” offers a vision where learning is relational and “love is a literacy.” It weaves together stories of perseverance, empathy, and creativity while showcasing innovations anchored in the latest neuroscience and technology.

In a world increasingly dominated by screens and technology, Hau’s message is clear: “Love and connection are not just nice to have, they are essential for healthy brain development and lifelong success.”

Resources to Learn More:

1. Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education – Isabelle Hau’s book released in February 2025
2. Stanford Accelerator for Learning – Where Isabelle Hau serves as Executive Director
3. This Is Your Brain Podcast with Isabelle Hau – For more insights on how love helps kids learn
4. Isabelle C. Hau – Love to Learn Blog – To connect with Isabelle

Infographic – 8 Insights About Early Childhood Education

Isabelle C. Hau – bio as submitted

Isabelle 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 and former head of US education at Omidyar Network/Imaginable Futures, she champions innovative, effective, and inclusive solutions toward a bright future of learning for all.

Blog: https://www.isabellehau.com/

Book: Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education (February 11, 2025)

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”