50 speakers to explore four key themes in Arabic literacy, bringing together educators, researchers and<\/p>\n
families to strengthen children\u2019s early language learning<\/p>\n
\u25cf Bodour Al Qasimi: Empowering children in their mother tongue is vital to our cultural security
\nand national future
\n\u25cf Brings together educators, researchers, families and content creators to advance Arabic literacy
\nteaching methods.
\n\u25cf Focuses on four key themes that link research with educational practice and strengthen Arabic\u2019s
\nplace in children\u2019s lives.
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pardaisnewsdigital.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/11-206x300.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Founder and CEO of Kalimat Group,
\ninaugurated the third edition of the Horouf & Kalimat \u2013 Early Childhood Literacy Conference
\n2026 at ERTH Abu Dhabi, marking the conference\u2019s first edition in the UAE capital since its
\nlaunch.![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pardaisnewsdigital.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/13-300x208.jpeg\")
\nOrganised by Kalimat Group in strategic partnership with the National Academy for Childhood
\nDevelopment, the conference is supported by the UAE Ministry of Education and IFA Hotels &
\nResorts as main sponsors. The Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) and the ZAI Centre
\nfor Arabic Language Research at Zayed University are education partners.
\nRunning from 30 October to 1 November, the conference brings together 50 academics,
\nresearchers and educators from the region and beyond for four keynote presentations, 14 panel
\ndiscussions, 13 interactive workshops and an intensive, certified course in the Science of
\nReading.
\nFour key areas shape the conference programme, covering teacher training and teaching
\nmethods, educational leadership and policy making, family and community involvement in early
\nlearning, and the quality of Arabic children\u2019s books and content. Across these themes, the
\nconference examines how research can inform classroom practice.
\nIn line with the UAE\u2019s Year of the Family, sessions also explore how shared reading,
\nconversation, and everyday activities support children\u2019s language development, and how closer
\ncooperation between homes and schools can encourage the use of Arabic from an early age.<\/p>\n
Arabic as a foundation of cultural identity
\nIn her opening address, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour said: \u201cEmpowering children through their
\nmother tongue has become an essential part of our cultural security and national future.\u201d She
\nstressed the need for closer collaboration among families, teachers and educational institutions
\nto strengthen children\u2019s connection to Arabic from an early age.
\n\u201cOur success is measured not only by how well children know their letters and words, but by the
\nrelationship we build between them and their language,\u201d she said. Her Highness Sheikha
\nBodour noted that this connection helps children develop a strong sense of identity and the
\nconfidence to engage with the wider world while remaining connected to their language and
\nculture.
\nA platform for exchanging expertise
\nH.E. Dr Meera Al Kaabi, Acting President of the National Academy for Childhood Development,
\nstressed that investment in early childhood literacy is essential to raising generations with strong
\nArabic language skills and the ability to pursue lifelong learning.
\nShe said: \u201cOur strategic partnership with Kalimat Group reflects a shared commitment to
\nimproving educational practices by applying research and specialised expertise to literacy
\neducation, while strengthening the role of educators, families and caregivers in supporting
\nchildren\u2019s learning.\u201d
\n\u201cThe conference also serves as a platform for strengthening collaboration among stakeholders
\nand exchanging best practices, contributing to a lasting impact on children\u2019s cognitive and
\nlanguage development,\u201d she concluded.
\nA national vision for Arabic language education
\nThe opening ceremony featured a panel discussion titled \u2018The UAE\u2019s Role in Supporting Arabic
\nLanguage Learning in Early Childhood\u2019, with H.E. Dr Saeed Kharbash, CEO of the Policies,
\nResearch and Programmes Sector at Dubai\u2019s Knowledge and Human Development Authority;
\nH.E. Maryam Al Hallami, Executive Director of the Private Education and Partnership Schools
\nSector at Abu Dhabi\u2019s Department of Education and Knowledge; and H.E. Khawla Al Hosani,
\nDeputy Director of the Sharjah Education Academy. The session was moderated by Dr
\nAbdulsalam Al Hammadi.
\nPanellists discussed how national policies can strengthen early childhood Arabic education
\nthrough teacher training, effective classroom practices and language-rich learning
\nenvironments. They also addressed family-school cooperation, the quality of Arabic content,
\nchildren\u2019s exposure to the language, and ways to assess progress in vocabulary,
\ncomprehension, oral expression and reading readiness. The discussion explored closer
\ncoordination among government and education authorities to support Arabic learning
\nnationwide.<\/p>\n
Exhibition tour and partner recognition
\nHer Highness Sheikha Bodour toured the exhibition, exploring educational resources, digital
\ntools, and technologies to develop early literacy skills. She also visited the interactive
\nworkshops and an educational resources store featuring books and materials for early Arabic
\nlearning.
\nSheikha Bodour also honoured strategic partner the National Academy for Childhood
\nDevelopment, strategic sponsor the UAE Ministry of Education, and main sponsor IFA Hotels &
\nResorts, alongside education partners the Sharjah Private Education Authority, and the Sharjah
\nCouncil for Higher Education and Scientific Research, in recognition of their support for the
\nconference and early childhood Arabic education.
\nCombining research with practical training
\nThe conference\u2019s certified 18-hour course, \u2018The Science of Reading\u2019, is designed for 50
\nkindergarten and Grade 1 teachers. Drawing on neuroscience research into early reading
\ndevelopment, the course equips teachers with practical classroom strategies to understand how
\nchildren learn to read, assess their learning needs and select appropriate teaching
\ninterventions.
\nBuilding on previous editions
\nThe conference\u2019s third edition in Abu Dhabi brings together specialists, institutions and families
\nto advance early childhood Arabic education and facilitate the exchange of expertise across the
\nUAE and beyond.
\nHeld in Sharjah, the 2025 edition attracted 1,200 registrants from across the UAE, with more
\nthan 650 teachers taking part in its activities alongside 48 local and international speakers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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