My speech at the UNESCO Regional Conference on the 4th and 5th of June 2023:
Innovating Early Childhood Interventions
I had the privilege of being a speaker at the Regional Early Childhood Care and Education Conference in the Arab states – Sharjah 2023, organized by UNESCO. This gathering brought together experts to discuss the importance of early childhood interventions and their potential impact on future generations, taking as a road map the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 4.2. which commits Member States to “ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education” by 2030
The Power of Innovation:
During my presentation, I highlighted the transformative power of innovation in early childhood interventions. By embracing innovative practices such as play-based learning, interactive digital tools, parent engagement programs, and community initiatives, we can create inclusive and effective environments for young children to thrive. The above practices follow the Social emotional learning framework, which encompasses the development of essential skills and competencies in individuals, enabling them to thrive academically, personally, and socially. in addition to using Kolb’s Learning Cycle as an approach that integrates interactive training techniques such as personal reflection, games, group work, arts and crafts, and group discussions.
Real-life Success Stories:
As the Head of Programs at Mentor Arabia, I shared inspiring success stories from Mentor Arabia‘s work in the region. These stories showcased the positive impact of innovative interventions on children’s learning outcomes and overall development, ranging from interactive learning platforms to community-based initiatives.
All the programs mentioned in the success stories use life skills as a main component, in order:
- To Promote healthy behaviors
- To support positive parenting
- To enhance the social and emotional capacities of children
- To strengthen the protective factors during early childhood to avoid risky behaviors at later stages in life
- To empower children to make sound and healthy decisions
To conclude collaboration and capacity building are crucial for driving innovation in early childhood interventions. Stakeholders, including NGOs, policymakers, educators, parents, and communities, must work together to foster innovation and share knowledge. Investing in professional development and training programs is also essential to equip educators and practitioners with the necessary skills for implementing innovative interventions effectively.
Being a panelist at the regional Early Childhood Care and Education Conference – Sharjah 2023 was a rewarding experience, where I emphasized the importance of innovation in early childhood interventions. By prioritizing the needs of young children and leveraging the power of innovation, we can create a brighter future where every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
