Early Childhood Literacy Conference 2025 Concludes With Focus On Advancing Arabic Literacy In Sharjah

The second edition of the Early Childhood Literacy Conference has wrapped up, bringing together over 650 educators and 48 notable speakers. This three-day event, the first of its kind in the Arab world, focused on enhancing Arabic literacy in children. It explored practical strategies backed by evidence from leading institutions both regionally and internationally.

Organised by Kalimat Group in collaboration with the National Academy for Childhood Development and sponsored by National Paints LLC, the conference drew 1,200 participants from across the UAE. The event featured 26 interactive workshops and 16 panel discussions. These sessions delved into topics like achieving bilingual balance, Arabic's impact on cognitive development, and innovative uses of technology in literacy education.

Ahmed Al Ali, General Manager of Kalimat Group, described the conference as a strategic platform reinforcing their commitment to early childhood Arabic literacy. He highlighted that teaching Arabic at this stage is crucial not only for education but also for shaping cultural identity and belonging. The conference addressed 12 core themes central to Arabic literacy in early childhood through 16 panel sessions.

The sessions provided educators with actionable solutions aimed at modernising teaching methods and developing curricula informed by global best practices. This marked a significant step forward for early childhood education in the region. The programming offered a comprehensive overview, covering topics from policy-level national initiatives in the UAE and GCC to practical classroom approaches for bilingual balance.

Complementing the panel discussions were 26 practical workshops organised around nine key themes. These sessions offered training in core classroom activities such as sensory play, music, art, and Montessori methods. They also covered critical foundational skills like phonics, writing, and immersive storytelling.

A significant portion of the workshops was dedicated to forward-thinking and inclusive education strategies. These included teaching children with disabilities, leveraging AI for Arabic learning, and applying multiple intelligences theory to support diverse learners. The overarching goal was equipping educators with techniques to make Arabic literacy engaging and relevant to real-life experiences.

Bridging Tradition and Innovation

The conference bridged tradition with innovation by exploring the enduring value of Arabic folktales alongside modern influences like AI and international educational frameworks. Sessions highlighted literacy's foundational impacts on cognitive and physical development while providing engaging teaching strategies.

Supporting the conference was an art exhibition titled "Border Crossings," a research project based on the Reggio Emilia philosophy. It showcased how children learn by interacting with natural environments and digital media. This exhibition complemented the conference sessions by illustrating innovative educational approaches.

The event received support from strategic partners including the National Academy for Childhood Development, Sharjah Private Education Authority, Sharjah Education Academy, Higher Education and Scientific Research Council, and Reggio Children.

With inputs from WAM