Right Learning Environment Means Under 4’s Can Accrue 2,000 Words

Call To Foster Arabic Culture And Language For Pre-Schoolers; Early Second Language Exposure Enhances Overall Development

Exposure to a variety of cultures in early childhood has a significant positive impact on youngsters and enhances a child’s intelligence, creativity and memory, according to Badr Al-Olama, chairman of Bidayaat.

“If a child is properly guided, multicultural experiences can positively impact a child’s cognitive processes, as well as enhance their receptiveness for other languages.”

He said that recent research indicates that children who are offered a well-rounded environment learn to speak at least 2,000 basic words by the time they are four years old, up from around 1,500 words for children who do not experience a structured learning environment.

Al-Olama also noted the recent announcement that the UAE will host the 2nd International Conference on Arabic Language. The (two-day) event dubbed Arabic Language in Danger: All Are Partners in Protection - will be held in Dubai in May under the patronage of the His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

Meanwhile, the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority unveiled a multi-faceted initiative dubbed ‘Holal’, which is set to showcase the essence of Arabic language in a year-long calendar of activites.

“Bidayaat’s curriculum offers children the opportunity to learn about Arab culture using Arabic language communication and other activities, Al-Olama said. He noted that the Arab culture is one of the world’s oldest and stressed that while every stage of education is important, it is the early years where learning has been found to have a life-long influence.

“The first five years particularly are crucial learning years for the nation’s children,” he said.

Bidayaat a childcare development company is presently offering more than 500 children various degrees of Arabic language learning at the group’s two nurseries under The Kensington Nursery banner, in Umm Al Sequim and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

“Given that the UAE is home to over 150 nationalities, a planned, diverse, early learning environment for pre-schoolers can offer them a head start, be it for children from national families or the many expatriates who call the UAE their home.” Al-Olama concluded.

Quick Facts About The Arabic language

• The Arabic alphabet originates from the 7th century
• There are more than 250 million native Arabic speakers in the world
• It is the sixth most spoken language in the world and one of the six official languages of the United Nations
• It is an official language in 22 countries spanning from Southwest Asia to Northwest Africa
• There are 28 basic letters in the Arabic alphabet
• Other languages which use the same alphabet include Farsi, Urdu and Kurdish
• Arabic was originally written without dots above or below letters

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Jan 20, 2013

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