The Princess of Wales has seen a pioneering new scheme in action which is designed to give babies a voice.
Kate met experts working with health visitors using a new approach which helps families get the right support for their very youngest members.
On a visit to Bordon, Hampshire, the Princess saw the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB) in action. It’s based around observing the social behaviour of babies to understand what they are saying with actions and responses. The aim is to get the right support at the right time for children.
The scheme was something Kate had seen for herself during a visit to Denmark, linked to her early years work.
Since then, the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has worked with the Institute of Health Visiting to trial the scheme around the country and Kate got a first hand taste of how that work is now helping babies and their parents and carers.
The Princess looked to be in her element as she sat on the floor with families to see the scheme in action and to hear their response to it.
There was also a meeting with experts and leaders of the project to find out how it has expanded and learn more about future plans.
The visit came as an interview with the Princess was published in Country Life magazine in a special edition edited by the Prince of Wales. Speaking to the magazine, Kate said that she had learned in the very earliest stages of her diagnosis that treatment and recovery ”wasn’t linear” and she spoke, again, about the importance of nature in helping her heal and stay well.
