Redefining Early Childhood Education: Insights From Prof Ger Graus

H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the recent Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed lecture titled "Reimagining Early Childhood Education." The event, held at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, featured Prof Ger Graus, a global education adviser awarded an OBE for services to children.

Prof Graus emphasised the need for education to be meaningful and relevant to each child's needs, abilities, and passions. He stated that children grow within the boundaries set by adults and highlighted that "children can only aspire to what they know exists."

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The lecture also touched on the "Education from 0 to 99" approach, which aims to value personalised education. Prof Graus said, "When we talk about the growing and education of children, we need to think of the foundations and how we can make them as good as possible."

Prof Graus argued that children are more than test scores and stressed the importance of incorporating creativity, progress, and innovation into the curriculum. He said, "We should go beyond academics and seek insights from outside the classroom to provide curriculum that incorporates creativity, progress, and innovation."

The lecture was moderated by Mariam Al Hallami from ADEK. It included pre-recorded contributions from Reem Al Falasi of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood; Liam Cullinan of Nord Anglia International School Abu Dhabi; Taher Lahdan from Al Saqoor Elementary School; and Amine Kharchach from Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Role of Experience-Based Learning

A central theme in Prof Graus’ work is experience-based learning. He explained that "experience gives purpose and understanding and when we have that, we are capable of learning." This approach underscores the importance of practical experiences in education.

Prof Graus also discussed how adults often limit children's potential by placing them in predefined boxes throughout their educational journey. He noted that children are frequently moved along various stages without considering their individual needs.

Broadcast Details

The lecture titled "Reimagining Early Childhood Education" will be broadcast on Saturday, 29th June at 5 pm on local TV networks. It will also be available for viewing later on the Majlis Mohamed bin Zayed YouTube channel (youtube.com/@MajlisMohamedbinZayed).

In his address, Prof Graus posed a thought-provoking question: "Who would you like to be?" He explained that this question is about values and principles rather than just academic achievements.

The significance of early childhood education was another key point discussed by Prof Graus. He highlighted the role of play in early learning stages and how it contributes to a child's overall development.

This insightful lecture provided valuable perspectives on how to enhance early childhood education by focusing on personalised learning experiences and moving beyond traditional academic measures.

With inputs from WAM