Catherine, Princess of Wales has launched a campaign about early development.
The 41-year-old royal said that “the importance of our early childhood years” and how much impact a child’s first five years can have on their lives is not given enough attention.
In an open letter, the princess – who has Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, and her husband, Prince William – said: “We all need to know how early childhood importance. They really are unique years in our lives.
“I urge anyone reading this to take the opportunity to learn more about this incredible time in life, to reflect on your own childhood and how it shaped you, and most importantly, ask yourself what you could have done Come to make the world a better place to provide support and care for our children. Because healthy and happy children share a healthy and happy future.”
The campaign, which kicks off this week, is the latest phase of the Princess’ efforts to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development.
In a previous report for her Royal Children’s Fund centre, she warned how the roots of adult problems – such as mental health and addiction problems – can be traced back to the first years of life.
Early Years Alliance chief executive Neil Leitch welcomed the princess’ efforts.
He said: “For too long the early years have been overlooked, overlooked and overlooked when it comes to sector funding, despite a wealth of research showing that the first five years of a child’s life are crucial in shaping their long-term learning and development.
“We hope the Princess’s commitment to highlighting the importance of early childhood education will prompt the government to sit up and act and realize that education doesn’t just start when a child reaches the school gate.”