ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)

This year’s edition of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week promises a rich calendar of family-friendly activities across the emirate from November 17 to 23, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) revealed during a press conference on Tuesday.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs, and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA), the event encourages families to spend quality time with their children.

Sana bint Mohamed Suhail, Minister of Family and Director-General of the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority, said: “The early years shape the future of our society, building emotional wellbeing, resilience, learning and health. By prioritising these years, Abu Dhabi is making one of the most strategic investments any society can make. Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025 reflects this vision. It reminds us all - families, caregivers, government, the private sector and civil society - that nurturing every child’s potential is a shared responsibility.”

Dr. Yousef Al Hammadi, Executive Director of Knowledge and Impact at ECA, discussed the science behind the initiative, explaining that a child’s brain forms more than one million neural connections every second during the early years.

He also highlighted the long-term value of investing in early childhood, citing research showing that every dirham invested in early childhood creates a return of Dh22.40 over a lifetime.

This year’s theme, “Together We Can Make Abu Dhabi a Family-Friendly Emirate”, focuses on the importance of active participation, co-creation, and contribution between the government, the private sector and the community to build a supportive environment where young children can thrive to their full potential.

In an interview with Aletihad, Laila Al Hassan, Organisational Culture Advisor and Director of Outreach and Partnerships at the ECA, said that this year’s theme reflects the ECA’s broader vision.

“This year’s theme is all about bringing together partners from different parts of society - government, private and community - to make a broader impact. The early years are the most important years of a child’s life. This is when their brain develops, when culture, identity, language and values are formed. If we invest in these years, that’s when we get the biggest return on investment,” she said.

Al Hassan explained that the authority’s long-term goal is to make Abu Dhabi one of the world’s best cities for children to thrive in - a vision that strongly aligns with the Year of Community and the UAE’s continuous efforts to strengthen family cohesion and children’s wellbeing.

She added that throughout the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week, parents and young children across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra can enjoy 209 community engagements, including interactive workshops, play-based learning experiences, cultural showcases, and sports and wellness activities. Most activities will be free and open to the public, with a limited number requiring tickets or invitations.

In Abu Dhabi, community activations include the Al-Tayebeen Family Bazaar, the Early Years Fun Fair, the Education & Wellbeing Fun Fair, and the Winter Wonder Fest. In Al Ain, visitors can experience activities such as the Family Fun & Heritage Day, Just-for-Fun Games Zone, the Maker PlayLab: Build Your Own Toy, and complementary family match tickets at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium. Al Dhafra will host a variety of PlayLabs for children of all ages, Al Mirfa Family Training sessions, the Childhood Ambassadors Rally, and the Shams Fun Run.

As the event approaches, Al Hassan encouraged families to make the most of the week and create lasting memories with their children.

“Quality time with your children is the most important thing you can do for them. It’s not about expensive toys or big gestures - it’s about the small moments during the day. Those moments are what they’ll remember, and what will help them grow in a healthy, safe and loving way.”

For the full calendar of activities happening across the emirate, visit www.ADECWeek.ae.

Over 50 Partners

The ECA revealed that 51 strategic partners from government, the private sector and community organisations will support the emirate-wide movement. ADNOC was announced as the Energy Partner, the National Academy for Childhood Development (NACD) as the Visionary Partner, and PureHealth as the Health Partner.

Dr. Ghuwaya Al Neyadi, Senior Vice President, Group Medical & Wellbeing, ADNOC, said: “Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week serves as a platform for families, educators and communities to work together in shaping a supportive environment for young children. We are delighted to collaborate with the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority on this important initiative, which underscores ADNOC’s commitment to nurturing future generations. Together, we aim to create meaningful experiences that help every child reach their full potential.”

Dr. Meera Saeed AlKaabi, Chief of the National Academy for Childhood Development (NACD) Team, said: “Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025 is a leading strategic platform that enables us to enhance the quality of programmes and practices dedicated to children and families.

"As the Visionary Partner, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting families and children by collaborating with our partners to deliver specialised workshops for parents that empower them with positive and practical parenting approaches, alongside interactive workshops for children inspired by Emirati identity and national values.

“This participation reflects the Academy’s pivotal role in preparing national talent and developing programmes that contribute to building a supportive educational environment for families and children, in line with our wise leadership’s vision of investing in childhood from its earliest years.”

Leya Aldamani, Group Chief Sustainability Officer at PureHealth, said: “Every child embodies the future of our community. By building environments that unlock potential and creating pathways that empower growth, we lay the foundations for generations to thrive. PureHealth is honoured to work alongside the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority and our partners in this vital endeavour. Together we are establishing Abu Dhabi as a global benchmark for placing the well-being and promise of every child at the heart of its vision.”