Kate Middleton joined children at the Castle Hill Academy in New Addington, Croydon, in making “belonging maps” today to emphasize the importance of children’s mental health.
The Princess Encouraged the Children to Express their Emotions
While they were busy creating the maps, the Princess encouraged the youngsters to express their emotions and reflect on what makes them feel safe and secure.
Kate asked the kids whether they did arts and crafts at home. She told them,
“It’s good to be messy, it’s good fun.”
New Addington is an area that is plagued by poverty and is one of the poorest communities in South London. The Academy works with the charity, Place2Be, and Kate is a patron.
The charity helps kids build trusted relationships through play and creativity. Kate asked the children,
“Do you like to talk about your feelings, your sense of belonging? Sometimes it’s hard.”
Kate met with the head of the school, Kathy Peart; Catherine Roach, chief executive of Place2Be; and Col Ray Wilkinson, the deputy lieutenant for Croydon.
Princess Catherine was invited into the nursery garden, which is connected to the school. Kate remarked that spending time in outdoor spaces was crucial for children.
The early years outdoor space for the kids was funded by Deloitte, which is a member of the Royal Foundation Business Task Force for Early Childhood.
According to the Telegraph, Kate established this task force in March 2023 to
“encourage business leaders to champion the social and emotional development of employees.”
Kate Played Games and Participated in Arts and Crafts with the Students
Kate asked the children about their favorite colors and told them she loves green because it reminds her of nature and the outdoors.
The Princess of Wales had fun playing some games and participating in arts and crafts while chatting with the students during the visit.
When inside, Kate sat with a small group. Including Nayar, a foster mother with two children at the Academy, Nikita, whose daughter is being counseled by Place2Be, and Anisha, whose husband passed away.
Kate asked,
“The children must love being outside and being able to use the activities. What has it meant to you as parents?”
Anisha noted how her son changed for the positive with the support he’s received since the death of his father.
Kate told her,
“I’m so sorry for your loss, but being able to have that support and see how he’s thriving just shows the incredible work that’s going on.”
She added, Just focusing on their emotions unlocks so much potential for them. Not only with their work, but their relationships.”
The Official Children’s Mental Health Week Project was to Create Belonging Maps
The Princess walked out onto the playground and was enthusiastically greeted by children waving flags themed around Kindness.
Kate was impressed by their creativity. She stopped by the art room to watch the kids make the official Children’s Mental Health Week project, the belonging maps.
The future Queen commented that it was good
“to use art to work out some personality and identity.”
Kate looked at one of the children’s maps and said,
“Kindness is key. That’s a very important message, isn’t it? Gosh, you’re talented.”
In a message posted on Kensington Palace’s social media pages after the outing, she wrote,
“This year’s Place2Be Children’s Mental Health Week is about the importance of belonging.”
“It can be easy to overlook the importance of the things that matter most: love, care, and time spent together.”
Belonging and connection are so important and fundamental to early childhood development.
“As Patron of Place2Be, I am incredibly proud of the work they do to support families and communities to nurture children and young people.”
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