Why Learning's Fourth 'R' Is the Most Powerful
With guest Isabelle Hau
For generations, "reading, writing and 'rithmatic" have formed the boundaries of early childhood education. Now research shows there's a catalytic fourth "R": Relationships. In this episode of Future Fluent, Betsy Corcoran and Jeremy Roschelle speak with author Isabelle Hau who shares her findings on why relationship-focused learning should be at the core of curriculum and education. Her findings have deep implications for the role of AI-based tutors and companions. And Hau warns us about the dangers of "junk" technology.
Isabelle Hau
Isabelle C. Hau is the inaugural executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, a Stanford-wide initiative transforming the future of learning by bridging research, practice, and policy.
A seasoned impact investor, Isabelle was a founding partner at Imaginable Futures, a global philanthropic investment firm launched by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar, dedicated to unlocking human potential through learning. Previously, she led the U.S. education initiative at Omidyar Network, scaling transformative education organizations that impacted millions of learners worldwide.
Isabelle serves on the boards of EDC and Sonen, and on the steering committees of the EdSAFE AI Alliance and the Brookings Global AI taskforce. She regularly judges prestigious education innovation challenges, including the LEGO Foundation’s $143M challenge and the MacArthur Foundation’s $100M competition.
She writes the popular newsletter Small Talks and teaches a class with the Stanford d.school. Her book Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education debuted in February 2025.
She was honored as 100 Inspiring Women at Harvard Business School, awarded the ASU-GSV Women in AI, and the Global MindED Inclusive Leader Award in Early Childhood Education. She also co-starred with Grover of Sesame Street on early childhood innovation.
Want more? Check out these references from our interview:
Love to Learn by Isabelle Hau. And her substack, Small Talks
Artificial Intelligence and the Early Childhood Field: Exploring Potential to Enhance Education, Communication and Inclusivity Zero to Three
How is artificial intelligence reshaping early childhood development? UNICEF
Why These Friendly Robots Can't Be Good Friends by Sherry Turkle
Designing Socialable Robots by Cynthia Brazeal
Is Early Childhood Ready for AI? by Ariel Gilreath, Hechinger Report
Common Sense Media: Educational tools
Digital Promise: How technology can support learning
Hikikomori: Post modern hermits?
