Invest in your child's development

Education has been in the spotlight in the UAE in recent years with both policymakers and private sector organisations investing heavily in youth development. However, in these efforts to provide our children with the best opportunities for the future, we must consider that some of the most important opportunities for learning begin long before formal education.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), early childhood, defined from ages zero to eight, is the most important phase for overall development throughout an individual's lifespan and is also the most intensive period of brain development.

It is in these formative years that children develop their sense of self and their outlook on the world. Children are like sponges; they soak up knowledge and can retain information and memories at a very early age.

Positive interactions encourage a healthy curiosity in children that manifest in an interest and passion for learning. Maintaining high quality standards for childcare and encouraging parental involvement is of critical importance in striking the right balance for maximising growth and development.

Environment plays a critical role in this development; children require a safe, healthy and most of all a stimulating learning environment to optimise cognitive, social, physical and emotional growth.

Investing in high-quality levels of early childhood care not only has individual impact, but has repercussions for overall economic and social progress on a macroeconomic level.

Nobel Prize winner in Economics, James Heckman, and his colleague Dimitriy Masterov in their 2004 report The Productivity Argument for Investing in Young Children, concluded that the rate of return to investment in human capital amongst all education levels and training is actually highest in pre-school aged programmes.

Attention

According to the WHO: "Early opportunities for learning in combination with improved nutrition, increases the likelihood that a child will attend school and become an adult with higher income, better health, lower crime rates, and lower levels of welfare dependence than those who do not receive early development support."

The area of early childhood care has been receiving increasing attention in the UAE, with the Minister of Education Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qutami recognising in a recent conference that early childhood is a critical stage for development. The introduction of the ministry of Education's new quality standards is a pioneering change and as long as these new standards are coupled with an effective and rigorous inspection, evaluation and enforcement programme, the quality of childcare available to parents and children will significantly advance.

Children should be left in the care of qualified and trained professionals; the right training helps caretakers deliver individual person-centred care to cater to children's needs in a nurturing and stimulating environment.

Qualified childcare professionals know how best to stimulate young minds. No two children are the same, although they go through similar developmental stages, the rate at which they acquire the skills and reach milestones will be completely unique to the individual child. Understanding this and monitoring each child in different areas of development can call attention to certain areas that need further development.

Keep it simple

It is also critical to recognise the role of parents in the education process and build this into an education programme. Parents act as positive role models demonstrating the values and qualities they wish to encourage in their children. They can also look at all of the time spent with their children as an educational opportunity.

Parents may not realise that simple things like playing games of ‘I spy' in the car, or asking questions on a trip to the zoo, can help encourage an understanding and exploration of the world. Play is actually one of the most valuable tools in encouraging early development and creativity. Creativity should not be undervalued as Albert Einstein once said: "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere."

The provision of excellent childhood is a responsibility that rests on many shoulders — parents, childcare providers, and the greater community all play a role in creating a positive environment for our youth. Learning begins before birth, and by continuing to invest in our children at a young age, we can lay the foundations for their future success.

Sue Jones is the founder and proprietor of Kids Academy Childcare Group UK. Khalifa Bin Hamoodah is Vice-Chairman of Faraj Bin Hamoodah Holding. Kids Academy UAE was launched in Khalifa City A in January.