TimeOut Dubai Kids – June 2019

Time Out UAE Kids June 2019 51

“They

learn to

code while

skipping

and

singing”

“We create learning experiences that help

build social skills, emotional control, fine

motor abilities, as well as the recognition of

symbols and patterns, numbers, language

and habits, all in the interest of positively

impacting a child’s development,” she adds.

An old-school mentality may have been

prevalent until not so long ago – after all,

the abacus is a perfectly valid learning tool.

However, newer approaches are bringing

elements to early years’ classrooms we’ve

never seen before.

“One example of our innovative approach to

learning is our coding programme for toddlers,

Coding @ 2, through which they unravel the

secrets of coding – all still part of a carefully

mapped and age-appropriate curriculum,”

says Brown.

“Outdoors, kids develop coding logic as they

play real games – they learn to code while

skipping and singing,” she explains.

Coding isn’t the only activity kids will

engage in to the beat of the music – there’s

also Zumba, which is also beneficial to tiny

tots’ overall development.

“A universal language, dance makes it

possible for people of different cultures to

meet and form friendships. Dance in any

form – whether it’s ballet, Zumba or freestyle,

helps develop kinaesthetic, physical, mental,

emotional and social intelligence. It also

boosts happiness and improves creativity,”

says Brown.

“At Bright Kids Nursery, we find that dance

also helps kids learn the gross motor skills

required for coordination and control that are

so essential in the early years.”

According to modern education experts,

a nursery needs to provide a stimulating

learning environment to encourage the

development of cognitive, psycho-motor and

social skills, as well as promote confidence

and independence in kids.

“While students should be encouraged to

imagine, play, be creative and collaborate,

they should also learn to take responsibility,

make decisions and solve problems,”

highlights Brown.

This is not to dismiss the benefits of going

back to basics. Educators and parents need to

always work together to create or adapt sets

of early learning activities to teach toddlers

new skills and routines. These include highly

visual activities that show the toddler how to

engage with toys (blocks, farm animals) and

participate in play.

Initial, simple activities, for example,

typically have a very clear beginning and end,

include a sensory component like preferred

sounds or textures and build on the toddler’s

strengths first.

All parties need to work together in order to

informally assess the toddler throughout their

education jounrey, ensuring that activities

target emerging skills, and that they’re

individualised enough to meet their needs –

whatever those may be.

Don’t worry, Mums and Dads, they’re not

“learning too much”, they’re acquiring new

sets of skills that will help them grow into the

individuals you’d love for them to be. Plus, we

wouldn’t mind challenging the kiddies to a

Zumba dance-off or coding tournament.

O Bright Kids Nursery, various locations across

Abu Dhabi including Khalifa City A (02 445 3411).

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