Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre Launches Child Reads Initiative To Foster Love Of Reading In Children

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) and the College of Education at the United Arab Emirates University have initiated the 'Child Reads' event. This gathering, held at the Abu Dhabi Children’s Library within the Cultural Foundation, aims to promote reading among children. It aligns with the Year of Community's spirit by encouraging daily reading habits and emphasising the significance of the Arabic language.

Approximately 70 children, along with their parents, are participating in this initiative. The event seeks to cultivate a love for reading in young minds while fostering family involvement. It also provides educators with resources and strategies to enhance early reading skills. Immersive reading sessions are designed to spark imagination, improve language skills, and encourage meaningful family interactions.

Fifteen female students from the College of Education are actively involved in conducting activities during the event. They are divided into two groups, with each student leading a storytelling session followed by related activities for small groups of five children. These sessions last 45 minutes each, with additional time for transitioning between activities to ensure a seamless experience.

The event features interactive oral storytelling sessions led by students specialising in early childhood education and special education. These sessions aim to highlight reading's importance in daily life while strengthening bonds among children, families, and educators. The activities nurture curiosity, a love for learning, and an enduring passion for books.

Seven themed stations are set up at the event, each offering a unique story accompanied by an activity tailored to its theme. Visual aids and interactive materials support each story to reinforce educational and moral messages in children's memories. This approach helps engage children more deeply with the stories being told.

After these storytelling sessions, children can explore books independently. They examine illustrations and interpret stories from their perspectives. This activity encourages engagement with non-verbal narratives, enhancing visual storytelling skills and allowing children to create their own stories using iPads based on images they see.

Selected Stories by Female Authors

The Centre has curated a selection of stories written by accomplished female authors specialising in children's literature. Titles include "My Trait, Not a Monster" and "Where Did the Black Chicken Go?" by Amal Nasser; "Dad & The Box of Happiness" by Reem Al Gurg; as well as "Zack le maniaque," "Salomé la pressée," and "Cassandre la gourmande" by Odile Bailloeul. The latter two were published under the Kalima Translation Project.

Workshops for Parents and Educators

An intensive workshop is also part of the event, targeting parents and participating educators. Experts from the College of Education lead this session, focusing on key guidelines for reading to young children. Practical advice is offered on attracting children to books and establishing reading as a cherished habit.

This initiative not only promotes reading but also strengthens family ties through shared experiences around books. By engaging both children and adults in this process, it lays a foundation for lifelong learning and appreciation of literature within families.

With inputs from WAM