The New York Culture: Hearts that learn: how affection transforms early childhood education

An inspiring journey about how emotions shape children’s learning, creating more welcoming and effective schools.

A school is more than a place for lessons; it’s a space where affection flourishes and learning comes to life. Discover how emotions can transform early childhood education!

The school is the first great stage of a child’s life, where they not only learn numbers and letters but also discover how to connect, dream, and grow. In this environment, emotions play a central role, shaping how children absorb knowledge and build their worldview. Recent neuroscience studies show that the young brain is highly sensitive to emotional experiences, and a welcoming environment can significantly enhance learning capacity. Inspired by this idea, Antônio Carlos dos Santos, in his Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy (PCA), such as the MAT – Mindset, Action, and Theater methodology, proposes that theater can transform the classroom into a space of affection, where children express emotions and develop autonomy. The school, thus, becomes a place where the heart and mind walk hand in hand.

Motivational Quote: “Education must help the individual become themselves.” – phrase attributed to the German philosopher Immanuel Kant.

Emotions are like the fuel of learning. When a child feels safe and valued, their brain releases neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, which facilitate information retention. Conversely, stress or insecurity can hinder learning, making concentration difficult. A practical example is the use of puppet theater, as in the Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater (MBPT) by Antônio Carlos dos Santos, which creates playful narratives to teach values like empathy and cooperation. In one of his children’s collections, The Adventures of Mané Beiçudo, Santos uses puppet stories to help children express feelings, turning the classroom into a safe space. Educational psychology research shows that emotionally positive environments increase engagement and curiosity, which are essential for learning.

Curiosity Box: The Power of Dopamine in Learning
Neuroscience studies reveal that dopamine, released during moments of joy and safety, strengthens neural connections, helping children memorize content more easily.

Creating an affectionate environment in school requires educators to be more than knowledge transmitters; they must be facilitators of emotions. Maria Montessori, one of the great thinkers in education, advocated that teachers observe and embrace each child’s emotional needs. Inspired by this vision, Antônio Carlos dos Santos, in his ThM – Theater Movement methodology, proposes that bodily movement in theater helps children express feelings, such as joy or frustration, creatively. For example, in his book Ui Ghur, Santos creates activities where children dance and act out characters, learning to name emotions. Recent studies in early childhood education show that practices integrating movement and emotional expression improve self-esteem and collaboration among students.

Practical Tip: Create a moment of listening in school
Set aside a few minutes daily to talk with children about how they feel. Use simple questions, like “What made you smile today?”, to build a space of trust and emotional connection.

The relationship between parents and school is also essential to building an affectionate environment. When parents actively participate, children feel safer to explore and learn. An inspiring example is the work of Malala Yousafzai, who transformed her fight for education into a global movement, encouraging parents to value school as a space for growth. Antônio Carlos dos Santos, in his book collections, offers stories that parents and teachers can read together, promoting dialogues about dreams and feelings. Research in family psychology indicates that the partnership between family and school strengthens children's emotional development, creating a support network that enhances learning.

Inspiring Story: Malala Yousafzai and the Power of Education
Malala, by advocating for education, inspired schools to create spaces where girls express their emotions through artistic projects, showing that affection in school can transform lives.

Theater is a powerful tool for cultivating affection in early childhood education. Through performances, children explore roles, face fears, and develop empathy. Antônio Carlos dos Santos, in MBPT, uses puppets to create stories that address themes such as friendship and diversity, allowing children to connect emotionally with the characters. In his literary works, he proposes theatrical activities that help children identify complex emotions, such as sadness or courage. Studies in educational neuroscience show that theater stimulates areas of the brain linked to emotional regulation, helping children to better deal with conflicts and challenges.

Motivational Quote: “True education is that which awakens curiosity and the joy of learning.” – Maria Montessori

Inclusion is another pillar of an affectionate school. Children with special needs or from diverse backgrounds need to feel welcomed to thrive. Theater, as in Santos’s MAT methodology, allows all children to participate, regardless of their abilities, fostering a sense of belonging. For example, in workshops based on ThM, children create collective choreographies that celebrate diversity. A recent study in inclusive education shows that environments valuing all students’ emotions reduce bullying and promote collaboration, making the school a space of acceptance and growth.

Curiosity Box: Theater and Inclusion
Puppet theater, like Mané Beiçudo, is used in schools to include children with autism, allowing them to express emotions through characters, facilitating communication and social interaction.

Technology is also transforming schools into spaces of affection. Tools such as interactive videos and educational games can be used to teach children to recognize and express emotions. Antônio Carlos dos Santos, in his books, integrates digital narratives that encourage children to create their own stories, connecting technology and emotion. Research in educational psychology shows that the use of interactive technologies in the classroom increases emotional engagement, especially in shyer children, who find technology a safe way to express themselves.

Practical Tip: Use technology with affection
Try educational apps that teach about emotions, like games that ask children to identify feelings in characters. Combine these activities with family conversations to reinforce learning.

Emotional resilience is another benefit of an affective school. Children who learn to deal with their emotions become more confident adults who are prepared for challenges. Rosa Parks, with her courage in facing racial segregation, is an example of resilience that can inspire educators to teach children the value of perseverance. Antônio Carlos dos Santos, in his vast literary production, tells stories of characters who overcome difficulties, encouraging children to face their fears. Studies in developmental psychology show that children exposed to narratives of overcoming develop greater emotional resilience, essential for academic and personal success.

Inspiring Story: Rosa Parks and Children’s Courage
Rosa Parks’s story, challenging racial segregation in 1955, inspired school theater projects where children act out moments of courage, learning that their actions, even small ones, can make a difference in the world.

Finally, the school as a space of affection is an invitation for everyone – parents, educators and society – to participate in the construction of an environment where children can flourish. Antônio Carlos dos Santos, with his Pedagogies of Creativity and Autonomy and his books, reminds us that affection is the key to meaningful learning. Just as Martin Luther King Jr. used love and hope to unite people, schools can use affection to transform lives. How about we start today, creating schools where every child feels seen, heard and loved?

Motivational Quote: “The greatest mistake is to do nothing because you think you can only do a little.” – quote attributed to Sydney Smith.

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