"The Heart of Learning" has been described as a "must see" by librarians, educators, parents, child care and health care workers and trade journals. The video kindles deep, natural parenting instincts, while providing clear and accessible strategies for loving and nurturing interaction with children. Beautiful and inspiring visuals combine with candid and heartwarming storytelling through children's and parents' voices and perspectives.

This 27 minute video follows children through the five stages of development from birth to three years. It accompanies five diverse families through the joys and challenges of raising their children -- and how each provides an environment in which their children can thrive and learn to capacity.

The video features a diversity of parenting models, ethnic backgrounds and perspectives -- including a single parent family, a family with different cultural
perspectives on childraising, a weekend dad, a step-parent, and a working two parent family.

Parents and children provide the expert voices in this video, with brief clips from a variety of educators and child care consultants.

Using research adapted from ZERO TO THREE, the video also features the voices of young children expressing their emotions and abilities at each
developmental stage. The underlying theme of the video is that much of the way children think and feel about themselves and their world is
determined in the first three years of their life. In this formative time, the brain is developing a complex "wiring" system, making connections
that will strongly influence a child's patterns of emotional, social and psychological behaviour -- and how well they can learn, handle stress, thrive and function in the world.

This crucial time of a child's development is strongly influenced by the presence (or lack of) loving interaction, stimulation and close involvement
of parents and care givers.

-- Children's Librarian

"In a market inundated with parenting formulas, finally we see very real parents from diverse backgrounds with their infants and preschoolers.
This video reassures, guides and supports parents' expressions of attention and love that nurture the hearts and minds of our youngest children. An evocative yet realistic guide through the early years."

-- Elementary School Teacher

"The Heart of Learning is a visually appealing video that beautifully represents the diversity of North American families with infants and
toddlers. Parents speak with eloquence and enthusiasm about the importance of the first three years and their own commitment to responsive caregiving."

-- ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants,
Toddlers and Families, Washington D.C.

"This video will be a valuable health promotion resource for nurses who work with families in the community. It offers the message of building upon families capacities to support their children's development as learners."

-- Public Health Nurse

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