Today's Edition
ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)
As part of Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025, the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) and the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi (DCT - Abu Dhabi) on Friday organised a trip for nursery children to Abu Dhabi Art.
The tour was designed to introduce young children to artistic spaces and support their emotional, mental and creative development.
Abu Dhabi Art, organised by DCT - Abu Dhabi, is one of the Emirate’s major cultural events, bringing together local and international galleries, artists and visitors.
Returning for its 17th edition, this year’s Abu Dhabi Art features diverse works and installations, bringing together 142 galleries from 34 countries.
Laila Yousef Al Hassan, Director of Outreach and Partnerships at the ECA, said the initiative was designed to introduce young children to cultural spaces typically attended by adults, highlighting the importance of early exposure to art.
“These are spaces usually visited by adults, but in the early years it’s vital that we invest in forming a child’s identity and in their exposure to art,” she said.
“We were very pleased to see how the children interacted with the artworks — some pieces made them feel happy, others made them feel sad. Encouraging that emotional expression is an important part of early childhood development.”
During the tour, children actively engaged with the artworks, asking questions and exploring the stories behind each piece.
Al Hassan emphasised that the early years represent a formative time for children, noting that 90% of a child’s brain develops by age five.
“The most important investment is in the early years, which we define as conception to the age of eight,” she added.
Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week goes beyond community activities; it extends to public awareness campaigns and multi-sector collaborations across Abu Dhabi, focused on a core message: “The early years matter.”
“We often hear parents say their child is too young to understand, or wonder why they should read, speak, or expose them to new experiences,” Al Hassan said.
“But this is exactly when investments should be made. This is when language develops, when resilience and leadership skills are formed, and when identity is shaped.”
She added that many parents hesitate to bring children to typically “adult” settings like art galleries. However, the interaction observed at Abu Dhabi Art shows the value such experiences can offer to children.
“It was interesting to see how engaged the children were. These moments get them thinking and take them out of their routine.”
Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025, which kicked off on November 17 and runs until November 23 under the theme “Together We Can Make Abu Dhabi a Family-friendly Emirate”, features more than 300 family-friendly experiences delivered in collaboration with over 65 entities.
