From Nurseries to Universities: UAE's shift towards emotional resilience in education

In a country that prides itself on educational excellence, UAE classrooms are beginning to sound different. Alongside the chatter of children learning to count and spell, you’ll hear the language of resilience, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence. Well-being is no longer the warm-up act for academic performance, it’s centre stage.

And nowhere is this more visible than in nurseries. Early years providers across the Emirates are treating well-being not as a polite add-on but as the foundation of learning. As pupils move on to schools and eventually universities, these practices ripple upward, reshaping how education defines success.

At BON, well-being sits side by side with literacy and numeracy. Classrooms are equipped with mindfulness resources and emotional intelligence (EQ) tools, and teachers plan for and assess well-being outcomes as rigorously as academic skills. Gandhi is clear that this is not a side project. “We were the first early years institute to launch a dedicated well-being and emotional resilience programme,” she says. “And while well-being policies are now mandated by KHDA, we continue to innovate and expand.”

That commitment has translated into practical initiatives. A two-tiered emotional check-in system enables children to express their feelings, with younger ones using pictures and older ones using words. Teachers schedule regular mindfulness and self-regulation sessions, underpinned by training in trauma-informed practice. Children needing extra help are given personalised support plans.

Parents are part of the equation. Through habit trackers, affirmation cards, coffee mornings, and webinars, they are encouraged to reinforce resilience strategies at home. “By aligning home and school, children experience consistent care and well-being support both in school and at home,” Gandhi stresses.

Classrooms feature calm corners where children can retreat when they feel overwhelmed. Playful tools like “dragon breath,” a simple breathing technique, help them manage emotions. Through social play and conversations, children develop not only language but also the emotional skills needed to navigate relationships.

This year, Numu introduced a “Neuro-Mapped” British EYFS curriculum based on neuroscience. “Each day is designed around responsive interactions that nurture trust, well-being, and security,” Brown explains. “By aligning experiences with the brain’s most receptive stages, we help children develop confidence, social skills, and emotional resilience.”

Parents are considered equal partners in this process. Numu runs workshops, parent cafés, and regular feedback sessions that mirror classroom strategies. “We see well-being as a shared journey connecting children, parents, and educators in equal partnership,” Brown says. “This ensures every child feels safe, understood, and supported wherever they are.”

The nursery’s multicultural setting adds another dimension. “In a diverse, fast-paced environment like the UAE, children are surrounded by constant change and variety, which makes confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of belonging essential,” Brown points out. A unique feature of the nursery, the Home & World Corner, celebrates each child’s culture and family background. “It’s a visible reminder that who they are, and where they come from, truly matters,” she says.

Both Gandhi and Brown stress that well-being in early childhood is not a luxury but a necessity. Gandhi puts it simply: “Research has proven that emotional resilience strongly influences a child’s long-term academic success.” Brown adds, “When children feel secure, valued, and confident, everything else follows. They’re not just prepared for school; they’re prepared for life in a diverse and fast-changing world.”

By the time children move into primary and secondary school, the groundwork has been set. At Fortes Education, which operates Sunmarke School, Regent International School, and Jumeirah International Nurseries, well-being is embedded into every aspect of learning.

Two initiatives rolled out this year reflect that ethos. The Flourish Programme provides a weekly well-being pathway for every student, from early years to sixth form, covering topics such as resilience, emotion regulation, and digital well-being. Meanwhile, Student Coaching and Mentoring Circles give older pupils a safe space for reflection, peer guidance, and personal growth, complementing counselling services.

Parents are drawn into the process through “Wellness Wednesday” sessions, where they learn the same strategies students encounter in class. Teachers undergo ongoing professional development in well-being science and trauma-informed pedagogy. Hopkin says this alignment creates a consistent culture: “Across reports, meetings, and conversations, we use a shared language rooted in strengths and emotional literacy.”

The reason is straightforward. “Well-being isn’t a distraction from learning, it’s a prerequisite,” Hopkin argues. “In high-pressure environments like the UAE, students often feel pressure to achieve without tools to regulate and recharge. Resilient, emotionally secure learners are the ones who succeed not just in exams but in life.”

At the higher education level, the stakes are different but the pressures are just as intense. At Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai, well-being is seen as a core pillar of student life, equipping young adults with the skills to manage the transition into independence.

Parents remain part of the support system, receiving updates and engaging directly with faculty. “At MAHE, the student is always at the centre, supported by both their family and the institution,” Thomas explains. “In today’s high-pressure environments, well-being is more important than ever. By treating it as a core pillar, we ensure students not only excel academically but also develop the resilience to handle life’s ups and downs.”

From the mindfulness corners of nurseries to the coaching circles of schools and the counselling services of universities, the UAE education sector is undergoing a culture shift. Academic achievement remains valued, but educators are recognising that it cannot stand alone without the foundation of well-being.

Nurseries remain the pioneers, demonstrating that resilience, self-awareness, and belonging can be taught as early as phonics. They’ve shown how parents, teachers, and children together form a community of care.

As Gandhi puts it: “When children feel safe, understood, and emotionally regulated, they are significantly more able to engage in deep and meaningful learning.” Brown adds, “By fostering belonging and empathy in the nursery years, we lay the foundation for thriving in a diverse community.”