Making Meaning in the Time of COVID: SoLD Alliance Interviews Pamela Cantor, M.D. and Brigid Ahern

Photo Credit: The Science of Learning and Development Alliance

Turnaround for Children Founder and Senior Science Advisor, Pamela Cantor, M.D. and Turnaround President and CEO, Brigid Ahern, were featured in the “Making Meaning in the Time of COVID” interview series by the Science of Learning and Development (SoLD) Alliance.

The series highlights perspectives of education leaders and explores the assets that young people bring to the current crisis and how decision makers can implement knowledge from the science of learning and development to ensure equitable outcomes for all students.

In her interview, “Developing the Learner,” Ahern discusses the importance of fostering supportive environments and developmental relationships so that students can thrive. “Students cannot be seen as vessels for content acquisition, says Ahern. “They are whole people who exist within culture and context and who deserve to learn and develop in environments that see, embrace, and build on their unique assets through an integration of positive developmental relationships, skill and mindset development, rigorous academic instruction, conditions of safety and belonging, and integrated support systems.” 

In her interview, “The 3R’s—Relationships, Routines, Resilience,” Cantor explains, Turnaround’s the Three Rs, which offers strategies adults can use to help inoculate children from the stress of the pandemic.

Dr. Cantor also recorded a short video for the series highlighting the Three Rs and the 5 Non-Negotiables for Whole Child Design.