Singer Shakira listens to a question at the World Bank in Washington after she and World Bank President Robert Zoellick launched the Early Childhood Initiative at the World Bank in February 22, 2010.

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama and pop superstar Shakira are talking about U.S. policy toward children at the White House.

Obama and the Colombian entertainer met briefly after she had meetings with staff from the National Security Council and the Domestic Policy Council to talk about early childhood development. A White House official, speaking only on the condition of anonymity because the meeting was not on the president's public schedule, says Shakira stopped by to say hello to Obama when the meetings ended.

Shakira is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has been an advocate for children in poverty.