Princess Märtha Louise of Norway supports early childhood development in Madagascar
By Sara JohanssonANTANANARIVO, Madagascar, 30 May 2008 – Her Highness Princess Märtha Louise of Norway launched a children’s book competition here earlier this month, as part of an effort to promote early childhood development in Madagascar.
The residents of Ambatolampikely village gathered to welcome Princess Märtha Louise as she arrived with members of the Norwegian National Committee for UNICEF and Madagascar’s Ministers of Education and Foreign Affairs.
“In Norway, I have been promoting reading for children for several years,” she said. “I know how important it is to provide children with access to books early in life, to develop their pre-literacy skills. Young children’s minds develop at an incredible pace, and stimulation through books is one way of optimizing their learning potential.”
The Princess opened the competition by inviting the people of Madagascar to send manuscripts for books targeting children six years of age and younger. A jury composed of UNICEF and Ministry of Education representatives, authors and a child psychologist will select 20 manuscripts to be printed and distributed throughout the country in community-based early childhood centres – including centres integrated in public primary schools and certain private centres.
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