The Princess of Wales has launched a new film series to support her “life’s work” of campaigning about the vital importance of a child’s first five years. “Early childhood offers a sacred opportunity to transform our societies for the better,” she said, as her foundation launched a new project to support the development of babies and toddlers.
Kate, who is currently enjoying the summer holiday with her husband and three children, has been closely involved in the creation of a series of animated films aimed at helping those working with families and carers explain the vital importance of social and emotional development. In June, the princess spent time with two of the illustrators, Vicki Turner and Owen Gildersleeve, working on the films and met early years practitioners also involved in their creation, during a creative workshop at her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
She is understood to be extremely passionate about the project, which is seen as a key step in her work to raise awareness about the importance of a child’s early years development.
In January 2023, Kate launched her Shaping Us Campaign to promote understanding of a child’s first five years of life, which Palace sources described as her “life’s work.”
Her interest in the area comes not from her experience as a mother, but because she had been struck on visits by how many people’s difficulties, such as problems with addiction and mental health, could be traced to their early childhood.
To mark the release of the new film series today, Kate said: “Early childhood has been recognised as the golden opportunity to build strong foundations for future life, health and happiness.
“The new animated films from The Centre of Early Childhood showcase how adults can create nurturing, loving interactions with children, helping to foster social and emotional development during their earliest years.
“These core social and emotional skills are essential in forming healthy relationships and are fundamental building blocks that can carry us through life.
“That is why we want to raise the awareness of, and celebrate, the extraordinary value of everyday moments of connection which matter more than ever in a rapidly changing world.
“Early childhood offers a sacred opportunity to transform our societies for the better and by nurturing these skills in our babies and children, we will be raising a younger generation better equipped to face the future.”
The series, also available in Welsh and with British Sign Language, uses different styles of animation from curated line illustrations to papercraft, to help bring core concepts related to child development to life.
Topics covered include how we grow an emotionally healthy brain; noticing and navigating feelings; managing big feelings together; back and forth interactions; supporting early learning; and creating space for connection.
The centre is working with universities, charities and professional bodies to build the films into training and practice across the country.