Awakening the Child Heart

Awakening the Child Heart was published in 2002 by Jamilla Nur Publishing as a continuation of Carla Hannaford’s exploration into brain-based learning and human development. Building on the foundation of her earlier, widely cited work, Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All in Your Head, this text focuses on the role of emotion and the heart-brain connection in the educational process. Hannaford, who holds a PhD in biology and spent many years as a classroom teacher and consultant, aimed to provide educators and parents with a framework for integrating emotional intelligence into early childhood development.

The book is grounded in neurobiological research, emphasizing the physiological links between the heart's intelligence and cognitive function. Hannaford utilized her background in educational kinesiology to argue that children thrive when their intrinsic emotional needs are met alongside academic challenges. Upon its release, the book found a dedicated readership among proponents of holistic education, alternative schooling models, and developmental psychology. It is frequently referenced in pedagogical circles that advocate for nurturing a child's natural curiosity and emotional resilience rather than adhering to rigid, strictly cognitive-focused curricula.