#early years

[orangepithart]

drawing my favorite scene from The First Year by candle_beck

when the fanfic has the "period-typical homophobia" tag but it's a fandom classic. 🌙

[lovelyways]

Michael Jackson as Scarecrow in THE WIZ (1978)

[sheafrotherdon]

For months after their meeting, through gesture and single words, in languages in which neither was fluent, they spoke of religion with a halting determination. Yusuf burned to understand what might animate Nicolo’s journey toward slaughter, what divinity could drive and excuse the craven excess of the Franks. Nicolo seemed no less curious to understand Yusuf’s faith, albeit riven with fractures in the aftermath of battle, death, and reincarnation. They came close to blows on more than one occasion; seethed quietly around their evening fire. Yusuf had no idea why he continued to walk beside such a man, except to say there were moments when he would see an expression of thoughtfulness, of silent contemplation on Nicolo’s face, and the sight pushed back the darkness of his own imagination.

There were years when Yusuf prayed five times a day, and years when he did not. It became easier to contemplate a universe of vast unpredictability as they learned one another’s speech. In lands where churches dotted the landscapes, Nicolo avoided even their shadows in the dust, and ducked in more than one alley to dodge proselytizers of myriad stripes. “I do not know,” he would offer when Yusuf asked him what he believed. “My mind cannot settle.” And this seemed explanation enough when they kept on dying and rising to life.

And then, too many years to count from their forging, Nicolo ducked into a church and left Yusuf to sit in the square, watching the townspeople pass. Nico was gone for some time, time enough to pray, to light a candle, to do whatever it was he felt moved to do, but when he reappeared he still seemed troubled, his brow furrowed as he chewed on his lip.

He sat beside Yusuf on the low stone wall he had claimed for a seat and said nothing for a while. Around them people greeted their neighbors, hurried toward the market, shooed away the pigeons. There was birdsong and the sound of children laughing, and Yusuf could not find it in himself to be startled when Nico took his hand.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Yusuf asked, nodding toward the church.

“Not there,” Nico replied, his gaze open and steady. “But here?” He squeezed Yusuf’s hand. “Yes.”

[world-of-wales]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐖𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒, Patron, visits Anna Freud Centre in London to discuss the vital role of relationships and connection in shaping babies, children and young people’s future life outcomes | 27 NOVEMBER 2025

[duchess-of-lara]

The Princess of Wales at the Future Workforce Summit hosted by The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood. The Summit is set to bring together the UK's most influential business leaders to drive further action and investment in the early years || November 18th, 2025.

[princesscatherinedaily]

The Princess of Wales and the Anna Freud Centre: A History

"As far as we are concerned she's the most important woman doing this in the world right now. To the millions of children who have been suffering in silence, she is their voice." 

-Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive of the Anna Freud Centre

September 17, 2015-The then Duchess of Cambridge visits the Anna Freud Centre in London.

December 15, 2015-The then Duchess of Cambridge attends the Anna Freud Centre Family School Christmas Party at Anna Freud Centre on in London. The Duchess joined groups of families in Festive activities designed to help pupils reflect on the positive progress in their social relationships and communication skills.

February 17, 2016-The then Duchess of Cambridge is announced as the patron of the Anna Freud Centre.

May 4, 2016-The then Duchess of Cambridge attended a reception in support of The Anna Freud Centre at Spencer House in London. The Duchess undertook her first engagement as Patron of the Anna Freud Centre by attending a lunch reception supporting the development of a new centre of excellence for children's mental health. 

January 11, 2017-The then Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a visit to an Early Years Parenting Unit in north London run by the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, to learn more about its work with families who have children under five years old. 

November 7, 2017-The then Duchess of Cambridge attends the 2017 Gala Dinner for The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families in The Orangery at Kensington Palace in London. During the Gala, The Duchess attended a reception to hear more about this project and the work of the AFNCCF from those who are closely involved in the Charity. She also met with some of the charity's service users, including families who have benefitted from the work of the organisation. 

May 1, 2019-The then Duchess of Cambridge officially opens the new Centre of Excellence at the Anna Freud Centre on in London.

August 8, 2019-The then Duchess of Cambridge took part competing on behalf of The Royal Foundation in the King's Cup regatta in Cowes, England. The event raised funds for Action on Addiction, Place2Be, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, The Royal Foundation, Child Bereavement UK, Centrepoint, London's Air Ambulance Charity and Tusk.

July 6, 2022-The then Duchess of Cambridge takes part in the Out-Sourcing Inc. Royal Charity Polo Cup 2022 at Guards Polo Club, Windsor. The match raised funds and awareness for ten charities supported by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge: SHOUT, The Foundling Museum, The Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, London's Air Ambulance, Mountain Rescue England and Wales, The Anna Freud Centre, Family Action, The Forward Trust, East Anglia Children's Hospice (EACH) and The Passage. 

May 18, 2023-The Princess of Wales visited the Anna Freud Centre for the first time as Princess of Wales. Her Royal Highness marked Mental Health Awareness Week with visits to two charities.

In addition to the visits, Anna Freud Centre plays a vital role in the work and research of the Royal Foundation's Centre for Early Childhood. They have been a part of many symposiums, conferences, and events organised by the centre.

The Princess of Wales will be visiting the Anna Freud Centre on November 27, 2025. Her first visit since her return to duties earlier this year.

[thewales-family]

New : The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood released animated films unpacking the brain science and explaining key concepts behind the way nurturing interactions support the social and emotional development of babies and young children.

The films explain the science behind the everyday moments of connection that can have a long-term positive impact. The Princess of Wales spent time with two illustrators and met early years practitioners during a creative workshop in June.

“Early childhood has been recognised as the golden opportunity to build strong foundations for future life health and happiness. The films showcase how adults can create nurturing, loving interactions with children.” -The Princess of Wales -August 5th 2025.

📷 : Andrew Parsons/Kensington Palace.