The importance of love and belonging for babies and young children (FutureLearn)
23 February 2026
Global learning platform FutureLearn spotlighted a blog from Norland Vice Principal Mandy Edmond on the importance of nurturing environments in early childhood.
FutureLearn, which delivers online courses for the world’s leading universities and organisation, has published an expert blog from Mandy Edmond, Norland Vice Principal and Head of Enterprise and Strategic Enterprises, titled ‘The importance of love and belonging for babies and young children’.
In the piece, Mandy highlights how babies and young children are biologically and emotionally wired for connection, and why feeling safe, valued and secure is not a “nice extra”, but an essential foundation for healthy development and lifelong wellbeing. Drawing on attachment theory and research into early relational health, the piece explains how responsive, nurturing relationships help young children develop confidence, resilience and improve emotional regulation.
Mandy’s contribution reflects Norland’s longstanding expertise in early years education and care, and its commitment to raising standards and understanding for those caring for young children. The blog also complements the learning aims of Norland’s free Introduction to Babysitting Essentials course, developed in partnership with FutureLearn, which equips learners with the skills for safe and confident babysitting for children of all ages.
Read Mandy’s blog on the FutureLearn website
