The Duchess of Cambridge has endorsed a new initiative from the BBC called Tiny Happy People, which supports families in those first five years of childhood development.
Tiny Happy People is centred around activities and advice for developing language skills in young people for the first five years of development and aims to “help you develop your child’s language and communication skills, so they get the best start in life,” according to its official website.
“We’ll show you why and how you can bond with your child, before they’re born and throughout their early lives – it’s never too early to start.”
The website features ideas and activities that help with child development, all of which were developed with expert advice and evidence. The BBC has been working on the Tiny Happy People project for five years. In addition to activities, tips and advice, there is also a section devoted to science and facts to back up all the evidence presented within the portal.
Kensington Palace notes that Kate has been involved in Tiny Happy People since November 2019 and joined the team to “take part in development sessions and to learn more about the production process” at those initial meetings.
The Duchess of Cambridge said in a statement: “Families and carers are at the heart of nurturing the next generation of happy, healthy adults, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to turn to for advice.
“Tiny Happy People is an invaluable resource which provides parents and carers with support and tips, as well as simple activities to ensure children develop the language skills they need to have the best possible start in life.
“I am delighted to have been part of its journey and hope families across the UK will enjoy exploring the resources.”
The BBC also notes that Kate helped “in the character and background development for two animations on parenting, which are now available on the Tiny Happy People website, about making eye contact with babies and singing to babies.”
According to Kensington Palace, “Recognising the significance of the project to supporting parents as they guide their children through the earliest years of life, The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will collaborate with the BBC as they continue to develop and roll out Tiny Happy People.”
Last week, Kate met with parents and children who were a part of the Tiny Happy People pilot programme to learn how it has helped with their language development. In speaking with a man named Ryan, she learned how it helped him to identify the different meanings behind his eight-month-old’s cries.
The Duchess will appear on BBC Breakfast Tuesday morning to discuss her involvement with Tiny Happy People. In a teaser of the interview posted on the Kensington Royal social media accounts, she says, “In the first few months there’s a huge amount of support from midwives and health visitors, but from then onwards there’s a massive gap before they then start school.
“Some of the things that the parents [mentioned] today, you know, Ryan at the beginning saying how his baby has got five different cries he’s learned a huge amount from Tiny Happy People, and it’s information like that I wish I’d had as a first-time mum.
“For so many parents it’s gold dust really for families to be given those tips and tools to be able to use, particularly in those first five years.”
BBC notes that Kate will also talk about the difficulties of life in lockdown but that a silver lining may be “that we revalue how important our relationships are.”
