Catherine: Nature can aid children's emotional growth
By Sean Coughlan, BBC Royal Correspondent
The Princess of Wales has launched a project encouraging the use of nature to help develop young children's social and emotional well-being.
"Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important," says Catherine in a social media post.
This initiative is part of Catherine's ongoing campaign to enhance early years education and promote children's wellbeing. She highlights the positive impact of nature on psychological and physiological health, drawing on her own experiences with cancer recovery.
In a series of videos showcasing the changing seasons, she emphasizes the holistic benefits of nature, almost in spiritual terms. This belief in nature's power is now being incorporated into her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood project.
The princess aims to promote nature-based educational visits, with potential sites provided by the Duchy of Cornwall. She emphasizes the importance of a "whole-child approach" to nurture social and emotional skills for long-term health and wellbeing.
"My hope is that through this practical, nature-based research, we can build supportive environments that help make nature more accessible, benefiting babies, young children, and their families across the UK."
Catherine drew inspiration from her trip to Reggio Emilia, Italy, known for its focus on relationship-based learning through play. The project has yet to receive funding, but Catherine leverages her platform to advocate for a cause she considers her "life's work."
Her message also serves as an antidote to excessive screen time, cautioning against an "epidemic of disconnection" from technology disrupting family life.