The future early childhood curriculum in the United Arab Emirates

Title
The future early childhood curriculum in the United Arab Emirates
Publication Date
2026-07-27
Author(s)
Mehana, Majida
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5544-9117
Email: mmehana@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:mmehana
Editor
Editor(s): Daniela Coelho
Type of document
Book Chapter
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Routledge
Place of publication
Abingdon, United Kingdom
Edition
1
DOI
10.4324/9781003636496-7
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/74843
Abstract

Early Childhood Education has been evolving in the United Arab Emirates. The country is young both in its foundation and in the age of its population. For children to prosper, they need a well-built academic curriculum that supports their aspirations. In this chapter, basic components of a futuristic early childhood curriculum are proposed, namely, the children’s characteristics, the cultural elements and the academic requirements for success. The children’s characteristics include developmental strengths and needs, diverse learning modes and creative abilities. The cultural elements include a well-founded heritage, the family unit, and a multicultural and multilingual environment. At the centre of the academic component is the process of teaching and learning that needs to account for teacher preparation programmes, curriculum areas and advances in technology. The connections among those components would allow for a congruent outcome where inclusion, diversity, innovation and heritage are represented. An emphasis on self-learning for parents, educators and children, along with an alignment of what it means to be successful among all stakeholders, would be necessary to carry out an effective curriculum. The educational institutions represent the ideal vehicle that could fulfil the needs of parents and children; therefore, collaboration between universities and schools, including early childhood settings, would facilitate sharing the latest educational innovations and help overcome challenges.

Link
Citation
Early Childhood Education in the Arabian Peninsula, p. 54-70
ISBN
9781041066620
9781041066606
9781003636496
Start page
54
End page
70

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