50 speakers to explore four key themes in Arabic literacy, bringing together educators, researchers and
families to strengthen children’s early language learning
● Bodour Al Qasimi: Empowering children in their mother tongue is vital to our cultural security
and national future
● Brings together educators, researchers, families and content creators to advance Arabic literacy
teaching methods.
● Focuses on four key themes that link research with educational practice and strengthen Arabic’s
place in children’s lives.
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group,
inaugurated the third edition of the Horouf & Kalimat – Early Childhood Literacy Conference
2026 at ERTH Abu Dhabi, marking the conference’s first edition in the UAE capital since its
launch.
Organised by Kalimat Group in strategic partnership with the National Academy for Childhood
Development, the conference is supported by the UAE Ministry of Education and IFA Hotels &
Resorts as main sponsors. The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and the ZAI Centre
for Arabic Language Research at Zayed University are education partners.
Running from 30 October to 1 November, the conference brings together 50 academics,
researchers and educators from the region and beyond for four keynote presentations, 14 panel
discussions, 13 interactive workshops and an intensive, certified course in the Science of
Reading.
Four key areas shape the conference programme, covering teacher training and teaching
methods, educational leadership and policy making, family and community involvement in early
learning, and the quality of Arabic children’s books and content. Across these themes, the
conference examines how research can inform classroom practice.
In line with the UAE’s Year of the Family, sessions also explore how shared reading,
conversation, and everyday activities support children’s language development, and how closer
cooperation between homes and schools can encourage the use of Arabic from an early age.
Arabic as a foundation of cultural identity
In her opening address, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour said: “Empowering children through their
mother tongue has become an essential part of our cultural security and national future.” She
stressed the need for closer collaboration among families, teachers and educational institutions
to strengthen children’s connection to Arabic from an early age.
“Our success is measured not only by how well children know their letters and words, but by the
relationship we build between them and their language,” she said. Her Highness Sheikha
Bodour noted that this connection helps children develop a strong sense of identity and the
confidence to engage with the wider world while remaining connected to their language and
culture.
A platform for exchanging expertise
H.E. Dr Meera Al Kaabi, Acting President of the National Academy for Childhood Development,
stressed that investment in early childhood literacy is essential to raising generations with strong
Arabic language skills and the ability to pursue lifelong learning.
She said: “Our strategic partnership with Kalimat Group reflects a shared commitment to
improving educational practices by applying research and specialised expertise to literacy
education, while strengthening the role of educators, families and caregivers in supporting
children’s learning.”
“The conference also serves as a platform for strengthening collaboration among stakeholders
and exchanging best practices, contributing to a lasting impact on children’s cognitive and
language development,” she concluded.
A national vision for Arabic language education
The opening ceremony featured a panel discussion titled ‘The UAE’s Role in Supporting Arabic
Language Learning in Early Childhood’, with H.E. Dr Saeed Kharbash, CEO of the Policies,
Research and Programmes Sector at Dubai’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority;
H.E. Maryam Al Hallami, Executive Director of the Private Education and Partnership Schools
Sector at Abu Dhabi’s Department of Education and Knowledge; and H.E. Khawla Al Hosani,
Deputy Director of the Sharjah Education Academy. The session was moderated by Dr
Abdulsalam Al Hammadi.
Panellists discussed how national policies can strengthen early childhood Arabic education
through teacher training, effective classroom practices and language-rich learning
environments. They also addressed family-school cooperation, the quality of Arabic content,
children’s exposure to the language, and ways to assess progress in vocabulary,
comprehension, oral expression and reading readiness. The discussion explored closer
coordination among government and education authorities to support Arabic learning
nationwide.
Exhibition tour and partner recognition
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour toured the exhibition, exploring educational resources, digital
tools, and technologies to develop early literacy skills. She also visited the interactive
workshops and an educational resources store featuring books and materials for early Arabic
learning.
Sheikha Bodour also honoured strategic partner the National Academy for Childhood
Development, strategic sponsor the UAE Ministry of Education, and main sponsor IFA Hotels &
Resorts, alongside education partners the Sharjah Private Education Authority, and the Sharjah
Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, in recognition of their support for the
conference and early childhood Arabic education.
Combining research with practical training
The conference’s certified 18-hour course, ‘The Science of Reading’, is designed for 50
kindergarten and Grade 1 teachers. Drawing on neuroscience research into early reading
development, the course equips teachers with practical classroom strategies to understand how
children learn to read, assess their learning needs and select appropriate teaching
interventions.
Building on previous editions
The conference’s third edition in Abu Dhabi brings together specialists, institutions and families
to advance early childhood Arabic education and facilitate the exchange of expertise across the
UAE and beyond.
Held in Sharjah, the 2025 edition attracted 1,200 registrants from across the UAE, with more
than 650 teachers taking part in its activities alongside 48 local and international speakers.