KG1 Kindergarten in UAE

Mothers are confused when their children reach the age of three years, where and when can the child join kindergarten?! Is it important at this age for him?! And how to choose the appropriate kindergarten for the child?! All these questions make mothers confused about finding answers to them, especially these days due to the spread of the Corona epidemic, which has caused children to be at home for a long time without any social or educational interaction for a period that is not short. Here comes the role of kindergartens in achieving the first social and academic balance for the child at this age stage that precedes school. The mother's confusion is also due to the diversity of types of kindergartens available, as she cannot determine which one is more beneficial for her child.

So in this article we will help mothers and talk to them in some detail about how kindergartens affect the child’s life, what are the criteria by which a mother determines the appropriate kindergarten for her child, and the specifications of kindergartens in the Emirates in particular .

First time…kindergarten

Kindergarten is the name for the first year of school in many countries. The kindergarten program is designed to introduce children to a more structured learning environment and prepare them for the first grade of school. In most cases, kindergarten lasts one academic year (two or three semesters), but some schools offer two-year programs.

When the child goes to kindergarten for the first time, the mother must be aware and do many things that help her child get through the first time, such as:

• Find a kindergarten near your home.
• Vision of the kindergarten and its capabilities.
• The mother takes her child for the first time and stays with him for a while inside the kindergarten, then takes him and leaves. This makes the child feel safe and that he can go to his mother at any time.
• The mother continues to wait with the child for two days, then gradually leaves the child for longer hours, and so on until he gets used to the place.
• The mother must be careful to follow up on the child and how things are going inside the kindergarten, whether her child feels angry or not, and whether there is a change in his behavior for the better or for the worse.

The mother’s presence at these times, supporting her child, is one of the things that makes him overcome this step quickly and positively affects his personality and life.

What is the nature of a suitable kindergarten in the Emirates?

Kindergarten is the first step in a child's educational journey, it is a crucial time for them to develop their social, emotional and physical skills.

There are several types of kindergartens in the UAE, the most common type is the government kindergarten run by the Ministry of Education . These kindergartens follow the national curriculum and offer education in both Arabic and English.

There are also private kindergartens that are not affiliated with the Ministry of Education . These kindergartens may follow a different curriculum, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), and usually offer instruction in one or more foreign languages.

These programs typically last two to three years and aim to prepare children for primary school.

The curriculum usually includes core subjects such as:

• mathematics.
• english language.
• Science and technology in a simplified way.
• A wide range of activities and programs to keep your child engaged and excited about learning.
• In addition, kindergarten students also learn about the culture and values ​​of Abu Dhabi.

Advantages of kindergartens in the Emirates

The UAE is a diverse country with many international and government schools with good educational standards.

The UAE cares about children and their upbringing. The nurseries in the country have many advantages, such as:

• A kindergarten in the UAE provides a safe, caring and stimulating environment for young children.
• The nurseries have experienced and qualified teachers who are able to meet the individual needs of each child.
• Design curricula to promote children's cognitive, physical, social and emotional development.
• The facilities are clean and well maintained, and there is plenty of outdoor space for children to explore and play.

How do I choose the best kindergarten for my child in the Emirates?

Choosing the best preschool for your child is an important decision. Mothers want to make sure they find the right school for their child's personality, learning style, and needs.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best kindergarten for your child in the UAE, including:

• The most important factor is accreditation, i.e. ensuring that the kindergarten is accredited by the Ministry of Education .
• The next most important factor is location, choose a location close to home or work.
• The third factor to consider is the curriculum, ensuring that the kindergarten offers a curriculum that is in line with the UAE national standards.
• The fourth factor is the program. Each kindergarten has its own curricula and programs. Make sure to research each school’s program to see if it matches the child’s needs and interests.
• Factor 5: Teacher Experience The quality of teachers in a school is important, you will need to ensure that the teachers have the experience and credentials necessary to provide a high-quality education for your child.
• Finally, kindergarten facilities and resources, ensuring that the facility is clean and well-equipped with resources that support the child's learning and development.

Is kindergarten important and what is the appropriate age to enroll?

Yes, kindergarten is important. It is the first step for a child in their educational journey. It lays the foundation for the rest of their studies, and affects their social, emotional and cognitive development. It helps children learn to socialize and follow rules. It also helps them develop academically and affects children’s psychology.

The appropriate age to enroll in kindergarten varies from place to place, but kindergartens usually range from 4 to 5 years old.

Kindergartens play an important role in the child’s social life. The effects of kindergartens on social life include the following:

• Kindergarten provides opportunities for children to learn how to interact with other children, through play and other activities.
• Children get used to following rules and procedures.
• Getting used to the environment and learning how to make friends.
• Cooperation and participation in team games.
• Self-reliance and how to behave and adapt to environmental changes.
• Learn etiquette and lots of good manners.
• Children learn how to share, cooperate, and resolve conflicts.
• Kindergartens also help children develop a sense of self-identity.
• In addition, kindergarten can help children develop positive relationships with adults.

As for the effect of kindergartens on the child’s psychological health, this point is important because it has two sides. Kindergartens can have a positive or negative effect on the child’s psyche.

• In case of negative impact, the following occurs:

When a child is in a kindergarten that is not liked and does not meet his behavioral, motor, and educational needs, the child becomes angry and in a bad psychological state.

Or when the child becomes attached to his parents and is suddenly left inside the nursery without any prior preparation, the child may become stressed and anxious about the matter, so it is necessary to take the child gradually when leaving him inside the nursery.

• In the case of the positive impact of the kindergarten on the child’s psychological state, the following happens:

Good kindergartens that care about children have a good psychological impact on the child, as they enable him to play, move around, and express his feelings and needs, which results in improving his mood, making him feel happy, and improving the child’s psychological state.

Kindergartens play an effective role in the child’s academic life as follows:

• The child is able to begin to understand and process new information.
• It also helps them develop fine motor skills.
• Begin developing early reading and writing skills.
• Kindergartens help children with correct pronunciation when they have problems with it.
• It exposes them to information and stories in many fields, which helps them develop their educational and cognitive awareness in the future.
• Kindergarten helps children think more deeply and respond faster when they enter school.
• Kindergartens motivate children to continue their education, which reduces the stress of entering the first year of school.

All of these things are important for a child's future success in school and in life.

Conclusion

Kindergarten is an important time in a child's life. It is the first time they are away from home for an extended period of time and the first time they are exposed to a more structured environment. In kindergarten , children learn to follow rules and procedures, share and take turns, and begin to understand and use basic academic skills. These skills are essential for success in school and in life.

Choosing the right kindergarten for your child can be a daunting task, especially in the UAE where there are so many options available. However, by considering your child’s personality and learning style, as well as your family’s needs and budget, you can narrow down the options and find the perfect fit using the factors we have outlined in this article.