‘Igniting curiosity and nurturing potential in early childhood’

The theme for this month’s free breakfast event for parents was ‘Igniting curiosity and nurturing potential in early childhood,’ sponsored by Blossom Nursery, Al Ain Farms & Jumeirah International Nurseries.

Here’s a quick rundown of the insightful discussions at the event – and look out for the detailed event article in the November issue of Mother Baby & Child!

• DATE: Thursday 24th October 2024
• VENUE: Stella di Mare Hotel, Dubai Marina
• THEME: Igniting curiosity and nurturing potential in early childhood
• SPONSORS: Blossom Nursery, Al Ain Farms & Jumeirah International Nurseries

The breakfast event opened with a welcome address from Veronica Martin, before introducing the first interview guest, Katrina Mankani, Managing Director at Jumeirah International Nurseries.

Igniting Curiosity and Creativity in the Early Years Through a Positive Education and Innovation Lens

Katrina Mankani, Managing Director at Jumeirah International Nurseries

Katrina was very engaging, vibrant, approachable and open with all the ladies.

Katrina shed light on how to foster creativity, curiosity, and overall development in young children during their early years. She emphasised the importance of carefully structured learning environments that inspire imagination and exploration, allowing children the freedom to discover new ideas.

Educators, she noted, play a crucial role in this process by providing guidance while also granting children the space to express their creativity independently. Katrina highlighted that fostering wellbeing and character development is essential, as it contributes to both immediate growth and long-term success.

She further shared that positive education—an approach focused on building character and emotional strength—can ignite a lifelong love for learning by making education enjoyable and fulfilling. Finally, she underscored the importance of integrating innovation into early years education, as it nurtures creativity while supporting emotional and social development, helping children become more well-rounded individuals.

The second expert speaker was Zaina Shihabi, Centre Director at Blossom Nursery Mudon.

Critical Thinking in the Early Years: How to Work in Partnership to Develop Critical Thinkers from an Early Age

Zaina Shihabi, Centre Director at Blossom Nursery Mudon

Zaina was warm, detailed and knowledgeable, focusing on the importance of developing critical thinking skills in young children and its connection to Personal, Social, and Emotional (PS&E) development.

She explained that critical thinking in early years education involves helping children analyse, reason, and solve problems, which are vital skills for their overall growth.

Starting early is key, as nurturing these skills from a young age sets the foundation for lifelong learning, independence, and better decision-making abilities. Zaina shared practical ways parents and educators can encourage curiosity and problem-solving, such as asking open-ended questions and allowing children to explore solutions on their own.

She highlighted the importance of collaboration between parents and teachers to create consistent strategies and activities that foster critical thinking in everyday situations. Finally, Zaina outline the need for environments—both at home and in classrooms—that promote independent thinking, where children feel safe to explore ideas, make choices, and reflect on their experiences.

The breakfast morning ended with goody bags from Al Ain Farms, who gave away juices and Greek yoghurt.

Keep an eye on the website and your email for details of our next event!

Check out the Event Image Gallery HERE!