The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, stepped out today to visit Nower Hill High School in Harrow to take part in a science lesson with students learning about neuroscience and the importance of early childhood development on the brain.
About the visit, Kensington Palace said, “This visit comes after Her Royal Highness launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood this summer, which aims to drive awareness of and action on the extraordinary impact of the early years.”
The Duchess joined a Year 8 science lesson recapping the learning which took place as part of a research project run by Oxford University that looks to embed the key principles of early childhood development and neuroscience in students. The focus of this research aligns strongly with the Duchess and her work on early childhood, as it is steeped in the understanding of the critical importance of early child development and its influence on an individual’s long-term health, wellbeing and potential in the future. From BBC report,
“Teaching teenagers the science behind babies’ brain development gives them practical skills as future parents, a University of Oxford study has found. Teenagers in 21 schools took part in a pilot scheme, which is now being rolled out more widely.
The Duchess of Cambridge is backing the project and visited one of the schools involved earlier on Wednesday. Previous research has suggested only a quarter of adults understand how much the first few years shape life chances. Almost 4,000 pupils have taken part in the special science lessons, designed by researchers from the University of Oxford.
They learned about the connections made in the developing brain during the first years of life, as babies experience the world around them. Each new experience can lead to new neural circuits in the brain, while stress can negatively influence development.”
Palace said, “The lessons focused on the neuroscience underpinning how a caregiver’s behaviour is pivotal to childhood development and children’s future outcomes. Over the last ten years, Her Royal Highness has spent time looking into how challenges in later life such as addiction, family breakdown, poor mental health, suicide and homelessness can have their roots in the earliest years of someone’s life. Through her work with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, she is aiming to highlight how what we experience in early childhood shapes the developing brain, which is why positive relationships, environments and experiences during this period are so crucial.”
At the school, The Duchess said, “I was so fascinated when I first learnt about this. How babies’ brains are formed and how they developed and what this means for us when we grow up.” The Duchess added: “Keep thinking about it, keep talking about it with your friends. Well done, I’m super impressed. Thank you for having me today.”
After the school visit, The Duchess of Cambridge joined a meeting of Chief Executives of Academy Trusts at Buckingham Palace to discuss the results of a research project conducted by Oxford University.
For the visit, The Duchess of Cambridge chose a festive colour.
The Duchess was wearing a Hobbs London Tilda Wool Coat. Thanks to WhatKateWore for the id.
Underneath the coat, The Duchess was wearing a Hobbs London Lara Wool Jumper. Thanks to Barbara Malgina via Kate Middleton Style on twitter.
Catherine paired the outfit with a navy slim-leg trouser.
She was wearing Daniella Draper Gold Diamond Maxi Cupid Hoops
She was wearing a navy Gianvito Rossi Pumps.
The Duchess of Cambridge is set to host a Charity fundraiser concert at the Westminster Abbey.
