Kate talks to children about teddies, ice-cream and support from friends
The Princess of Wales has released a new video where she talks to school children about teddy bears, ice cream and good and sad feelings.
Kate introduced youngsters at St John’s CE Primary School in Bethnal Green, east London, to her ‘Shaping Us’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood in later life.
Sitting in a classroom with the six admission-age students, Kate talks to them about how people can feel better when they have the support of friends and family.
A girl tells the princess, “I like my friend Miley. When I cry, she gets a handkerchief and wipes my tears.”
what is #shape us?
Introducing Layla’s story to the children at St. John’s CE Primary School and chatting about the important people in their lives who they share their feelings with… and Barnaby Bear 🧸@early childhood ▶️ https://t.co/ajo3nmbQOz pic.twitter.com/kMxmGSXzVe
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 2, 2023
Kate replies: “That’s the kind of boyfriend… we all have feelings, don’t we? Good feelings and sad feelings.
“But having our friends and family around us makes us feel better, doesn’t it? Do you feel better when you talk about your feelings?”
The princess, dressed in a forest green bow-tie blouse and belted black trousers, asks the children about the teddies they are holding.
“Good afternoon. Thank you for having me at your school, and who are these teddies you brought?” she says, pointing to the toys.
One of the kids replies “Barnaby Bear” while another holds up a fluffy white unicorn.
Kate replies, “Barnaby Bear! I love your unicorn – I should have brought my teddy bear right?”
The princess tells the four and five-year-olds that she brought a film instead and plays them a short clay animation from the Royal Foundation Center for Early Childhood about the early life of a character named Layla.
Referring to a scene where Layla drops an ice cream cone, Kate, who is holding a Mr. Tumble plush belonging to one of the children, asks, “Have any of you dropped an ice cream cone like this before?” Do you have? I did it too.”
One boy recounts how he also dropped his ice cream cone but got another one, and a smiling Kate remarked, “Oh did you? Lucky you… ah yummy.”
“Who’s been nice to you lately? she asks as the children raise their hands.
Meet Layla đź‘‹ @early childhood
Our earliest years shape the rest of our lives. From pregnancy to the age of five, the world around us, the people we meet and the experiences we have are everything #shape us pic.twitter.com/Ta6trdYL94
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 31, 2023
The princess says the animation shows “how important it is to take care of you, give you love, give you kindness so you can be the best you can be.”
The boy sitting next to Kate nods enthusiastically as she speaks.
Kate also chats to another boy about his Spider-Man birthday cake, patting him on the back and giving him a big smile when he tells her he loves the superhero.
A girl thanks Kate for visiting and says, “Thanks for being here.”
The princess replies before giving the children high fives, “Well, thank you for letting me be and inviting me over here.”
