One of the most basic human needs is connection: a desire for belonging and feeling seen and heard. We must answer that call before we can expect to take the lead and teach a child.
Children are able to learn when they feel safe, seen, heard, and connected to the adults in their life. This allows a child’s brain to access and activate the cortical brain (where executive functioning occurs) and keeps the fear centre of the brain from being activated, which inhibits learning.