“We believe that our first five years fundamentally shape the adults we become. At the Centre for Early Childhood, our vision is for a happier, healthier, more nurturing world.”
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is admired and loved by people around the world! In addition to being a supportive partner to the future king of the United Kingdom, she is a devoted mother whose commitment to her family and her dedication to raising her children in a loving and nurturing environment resonates with many. But did you know she has a deep-rooted interest in issues related to early childhood development?
In June 2021, Catherine launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The Centre aims to bring together various organizations and experts to focus on the importance of early childhood development and its impact on a person’s life.
The Foundation’s Mission
The mission of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood is to address the long-term societal challenges by raising awareness of the significance of early childhood and provide support and resources to parents, caregivers, and early childhood professionals. By prioritizing the early years, the center seeks to improve the overall well-being of children and promote positive outcomes in their future lives.
According to its website, the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood “drives awareness of and action on the extraordinary impact of the early years, in order to transform society for the future.”
Three Areas of Royal Foundation Centre Activity
- Research: promoting and commissioning high-quality research to increase knowledge and share best practices;
- Collaboration: working with people from across the private, public and voluntary sectors to collaborate on new solutions; and
- Creating Change: developing creative campaigns to raise awareness and inspire action, driving real, positive change on the early years.
Those of us in the United States who are committed to bettering the early childhood setting are likely familiar with the phrase, “early childhood deserts.” A significant lack of access to high-quality early childhood education exists, resulting in disparities and gaps in early childhood resources and opportunities.
Addressing early childhood deserts in our country requires a multi-faceted approach similar to that utilized by Princess Catherine’s team. Oh, how we dream of the day when US children will benefit from a powerful and loving voice from our own leadership! In the meantime, here are eight ways early childhood advocacy can be enriched in our own backyards:
- Raise awareness about the importance of early childhood development and its long-term impact on children’s lives.
- Empower parents and caregivers to become advocates for early childhood.
- Collaborate with stakeholders, such as policymakers, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to build a coalition of supporters for early childhood initiatives.
- Engage with businesses and corporations to gain their support for early childhood initiatives.
- Emphasize the economic benefits of investing in early childhood development.
- Utilize data and research to make a compelling case for early childhood advocacy.
- Leverage media and celebrity support from those who are passionate about early childhood.
- Encourage grassroots efforts and empower community members to take action within their neighborhoods and networks.
