The Princess of Wales is set to publicly launch the Shaping Us Framework this week, a significant initiative aimed at promoting essential social and emotional skills in children. Developed by a coalition of global experts convened by the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, this framework encompasses 30 crucial life skills categorized into six key clusters: Knowing Ourselves, Managing Our Emotions, Focusing Our Thoughts, Communication with Others, Nurturing Our Relationships, and Exploring the World.
The Shaping Us Framework is designed to identify and nurture social and emotional competencies that emerge during early childhood and continue to evolve throughout adulthood. The Princess emphasizes that it is never too late to develop these skills, underscoring their importance in fostering well-rounded individuals. She stated, "We can all play a vital part in building a more loving, empathetic, and compassionate society."
This initiative marks a milestone for the Centre for Early Childhood, which the Princess founded in 2021. Her commitment to early childhood development is evident as she advocates for prioritizing these crucial skills to create a healthier society overall. The Princess asserts that addressing social and emotional skills is essential for mitigating issues such as poor mental health, addiction, and abuse, which can have devastating impacts on communities.
Christian Guy, the Executive Director of the Centre for Early Childhood, also highlighted the need for recognition and action regarding social and emotional skills. He stated, "If we are to address this properly… we must reset, restore, and rebalance. We must invest in humankind." This sentiment aligns with the Princess's belief that fostering compassion and empathy is fundamental to strengthening communities.
The framework not only serves as a tool for personal growth but also addresses broader societal challenges. The Princess noted that understanding oneself and one's emotions is critical: "That means taking a profound look at ourselves and our own behaviours, emotions and feelings." She encourages everyone to engage in this introspective journey to foster connections that enhance community cohesion.
With the Shaping Us Framework, the Princess of Wales aims to empower individuals to develop essential life skills that contribute to their happiness and well-being. The initiative seeks to cultivate an environment where children can thrive and grow into emotionally intelligent adults.
