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Preschool classrooms are being transformed into emotionally supportive and cognitively stimulating environments, transforming early childhood education in the UAE.
Recent research highlights that positive teacher interaction and peer engagement can significantly enhance young children’s language, digital skills, and socioemotional development. Schools, nurseries and early learning centers are redefining teaching methods to suit each child’s unique learning style, aiming to create effective learning environments that lay a strong foundation for future academic success.
In a recent panel discussion on “Innovation in Early Childhood Education,” Chubby Cheeks Kindergarten Branch Manager Anam Salem and British Orchard Kindergarten Principal Anupama Monga highlighted several key ways to reinvent the learning experience for young students. The panel discussion was part of Gulf News’ inaugural event for Edufair Schools and Kindergartens, which is being held at Villa Rotana on Sheikh Zayed Road with leading educational institutions from across the country.
One prominent strategy discussed by experts was customizing teaching methods to fit individual learning styles. By recognizing and adapting to each child’s unique needs, educators can create a more inclusive and effective learning environment. “At Chubby Cheeks, our approach is to put children at the center of everything we do,” Salem said. “Our curriculum is child-centred, focusing on children’s interests and how to create a positive environment to promote their learning. We adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) standards, which is standard practice across the UK, and zone classrooms so we There are different areas in the classroom, such as a role-play area where children can learn through imaginative play, and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) area with activities based on their age to enhance curiosity. , explore and engage.”
Salem emphasizes the key role of outdoor play in their teaching methods. Chubby Cheeks Nursery organizes activities such as scavenger hunts and field trips to provide authentic learning experiences. “Nursery schools and early childhood education centers play a vital role in helping children aged zero to five organize their thoughts, overcome challenges and prepare them for future learning experiences,” Salem said.
Another important aspect of innovation in early childhood education is the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL). Educators are implementing programs and activities that help children develop essential skills such as self-awareness, empathy and social interaction. These skills are critical not only for academic success, but also for overall well-being and success in future life. “At Orchard Kindergarten in the UK, we launched an emotional intelligence course, which was well received,” Monga said. “Not only do we train our staff, we also encourage parents to take part in the program. More recently, we have started focusing on helping children identify and manage their emotions. This initiative has been very successful as children are now more aware of their feelings and are learning how to regulate them and express them.”
In addition, British Orchard Nursery is training staff and parents on how to deal with tantrums and other challenging behaviour. “We believe it is critical to understand intergenerational trauma and how it affects our interactions with our children,” Monga said. “Today’s children are different and adapting our approach to meet their needs is critical.”
Monga also focuses on building children’s self-esteem through activities that affirm and promote self-belief. “To promote children’s self-esteem, we have implemented a number of exercises and innovations in the nursery,” she said. “One of the key strategies we use is a ‘calm room’, which is a safe space where children can retreat to when they are feeling distressed or upset. This room helps prevent feelings of isolation or neglect, especially when children may be experiencing social challenges , such as not being accepted by friends.”
Ensuring an inclusive environment for students is also crucial. To achieve an inclusive environment, it is crucial to provide opportunities for every child. Chubby Cheeks Preschool provides a special educator who works closely with parents to resolve any issues that may arise. “Every child is unique, and personal, social and emotional development are key areas of early childhood education,” Salem said. “Staff training is our core focus. We offer weekly training sessions on new innovative practices, including emotional intelligence and other areas such as differentiated or multiple intelligences. We believe in continually evolving to meet the needs of our students. We incorporate inquiry-based learning as well as open-ended questions to encourage children’s communication skills and curiosity.”
Monga emphasizes the need for strong relationships between schools and parents, as communication with parents is vital to a child’s development. “We use the app to connect with parents every day and provide updates on their children for the day,” she explains. “We also engage in proactive outreach to inform parents about their children’s achievements and development. In addition, we engage parents in school events and activities to strengthen our relationships.”
When asked how schools help parents choose the right day care for their children, Salem said her school allows parents to visit classrooms to see the approach first-hand. “We also provide an online platform for parents to view pictures of our activities,” she added. “In addition, we organize workshops and webinars for parents to interact with teachers and learn more about our curriculum.”
Talking about how teachers adapt their learning styles to keep students fun and interactive, Monga said teachers at her school are trained to understand children’s different interests and learning styles. They use open-ended resources and activities to engage children and encourage their creativity and multiple intelligences. “Teachers focus on individualized attention and often work in small groups to ensure each child’s needs are met,” she added.
Looking to the future, the biggest change in early childhood education is the integration of technology. Digital tools and platforms are used to enhance the learning experience, providing interactive and engaging content to complement traditional teaching methods. In addition, the school is committed to creating a learning environment that promotes exploration and discovery, encouraging children to learn through play and practical experience. “I believe the biggest changes will come from technology, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in reinforcement learning,” Monga said. “We have started introducing coding to students, starting with STEM education. Coding will become as important as high school education and we will implement it in all daycares. Understanding coding starts at a young age, starting with full-body movement” We provide young children with Use floor games to teach them directionality, which is the foundation of coding. As they get older, they will transition to more formal techniques to further develop their coding skills.”
Edufair is open until tomorrow at Villa Rotana. Visitors can easily access the venue from Business Bay and Dubai Mall metro stations.Register for free at https://events.agnc3.com/GNEdufair-Schools
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