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英国威尔士王妃凯瑟琳于2026年10月16日宣布一项幼儿早期发展新项目：委托皇家基金会早期童年中心研究自然丰富环境如何支持婴幼儿的社会与情感发展。康沃尔公爵领地作为创始合作方参与；夫妇此前私访纽基附近的可持续社区 Nansledan。本文说明其宣告内容、与数字时代及早期教育理念的关联、资金与后续计划，以及仍待落地的实践问题。

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On 16 October 2026, the Princess of Wales announced a new early childhood project focused on nature. Through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, she has commissioned research into how nature-rich environments can support the social and emotional development of babies and young children across the United Kingdom. The Duchy of Cornwall is the founding partner. On Thursday, Catherine and Prince William made a private visit to Nansledan, a sustainable urban extension of Newquay in Cornwall, to see how outdoor learning might work in early life.

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2026年10月16日，威尔士王妃宣布一项聚焦自然的幼儿早期发展新项目。她通过皇家基金会早期童年中心，委托开展研究，考察自然丰富的环境如何支持英国各地婴幼儿的社会与情感发展。康沃尔公爵领地是创始合作方。周四，凯瑟琳与威廉王子私访康沃尔纽基附近的可持续城市延伸区 Nansledan，了解户外学习在生命早期可能如何开展。

In a video message filmed in Cornwall, Catherine said new scientific research shows how important nature is for psychological and physiological wellbeing. “Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all,” she said, “and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important.” She framed the project as an approach that considers the whole child: nature becomes a place to explore how creativity and relationships can nurture social and emotional skills that underpin lifelong health and wellbeing.

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在康沃尔拍摄的视频致辞中，凯瑟琳表示，新的科学研究越来越显示自然对心理与生理福祉多么重要。她说：“自然对我们所有人而言都是非凡的环境；在这个由技术驱动的数字时代，高质量地户外相处从未如此重要。”她把项目框定为关注整全儿童的取径：自然成为探索创造力与人际关系如何培育支撑终身健康与福祉的社会情感技能的场所。

The announcement builds on Catherine’s long campaign to raise the status of the earliest years. Earlier in 2026 she visited Reggio Emilia in Italy, where educators prioritise relationships, community and learning through play, including outdoor activity. She has also spoken of nature as a “sanctuary” during her recovery from cancer. BBC News notes that no separate funding package was announced with the project; instead, she is using her public profile to push a cause she has called her life’s work.

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这一宣布延续了凯瑟琳长期提升生命最初几年地位的努力。2026年早些时候，她访问了意大利雷焦·艾米利亚；当地教育者重视关系、社区与通过游戏学习，也包括户外活动。她还曾把自然称为抗癌康复期间的“庇护所”。英国广播公司（BBC）指出，项目宣布时并未附带单独的资金方案；她更多是用公众影响力推动她称作毕生事业的事业。

Christian Guy, executive director of the Centre for Early Childhood, said the princess has long argued that the environments in which children grow, play and learn are a golden opportunity to shape a healthier, happier society. Will Bax of the Duchy of Cornwall said the estate looks forward to supporting work that could benefit children, families and communities. The research and practical testing are meant to lay foundations for a wider programme planned for 2027.

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早期童年中心执行主任克里斯蒂安·盖伊说，王妃长期主张：儿童成长、游戏与学习所处的环境，是塑造更健康、更快乐社会的黄金机会。康沃尔公爵领地的威尔·巴克斯表示，该领地期待支持可能惠及儿童、家庭与社区的工作。研究与实践检验旨在为计划于2027年启动的更广泛项目奠定基础。

The project also answers a modern worry: too much screen time and an “epidemic of disconnection” that can disrupt family life. By combining academic study with real-world learning sites, the centre hopes to make nature more accessible, not only for privileged families but for babies and young children across the UK. Whether the work will change daily practice remains to be seen. For now, the signal is clear: early childhood policy is looking outdoors as carefully as it looks at classrooms and screens.

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项目也回应一种当代担忧：过多屏幕时间，以及可能扰乱家庭生活的“疏离流行病”。通过把学术研究与真实场景学习结合起来，中心希望让自然更容易接近，不只惠及条件优越的家庭，也惠及全英国的婴幼儿。工作能否改变日常实践仍有待观察。眼下信号很清楚：幼儿政策在审视教室与屏幕的同时，也正认真把目光投向户外。

新闻来源

• BBC News · Catherine says nature can help children’s emotional growth (16 Oct 2026)
• The Independent · Kate commissions new research into nature benefits for babies and children (16 Oct 2026)

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