Empowering Young Minds: Abu Dhabi's Early Childhood Week

Abu Dhabi for the Little Ones: Launch of the Early Childhood Week 2025

This November, Abu Dhabi will once again focus on children and families as the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week returns, offering more community and local events than ever before across the emirate's three regions: the city of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. The series of events, held from November 17 to 23 in 2025, will focus on the first 1,000 days of a child's life, emphasizing the critical importance of this period for learning, health, and emotional development.

The Importance of the First 1,000 Days

Scientific research has made it clear that brain development is most intensive from the period before a child's birth up to the age of five. By the time a young child reaches the age of five, 90 percent of brain development is already complete. During this sensitive period, environmental influences, nutrition, play, and quality time spent with parents all impact the child's future abilities, health, and well-being.

The aim of the event series is not just entertainment but to draw the attention of parents and the community to the crucial role that the first years play in long-term well-being.

Over 170 Programs for Families and Children

The significant difference in the 2025 season compared to previous years is the focus on direct, community experiences. While 2024 showcased large-scale international conferences and fairs, this year the focus shifts back to local communities: play activities in parks, pop-up learning events in neighborhoods, and joint workshops for parents and children.

The initiative is backed by the Early Childhood Authority (ECA), which is dedicated to making Abu Dhabi a safe, supportive, family-friendly environment for every young child.

Practical Challenges

Data on child-rearing highlights the difficulties families face in Abu Dhabi. 75 percent of parents said they could not spend enough time with their children. Additionally, about 70 percent of children's weekly time is spent with household employees. Particularly worrying is that only 1.1 percent of children from the so-called 'Children of Determination' group are identified in time, underscoring the importance of early screening and support.

Together for Families

The motto of the 2025 event series is: "Together we can make Abu Dhabi a family-friendly emirate." In this spirit, programs are jointly developed by public and private sector participants, focusing on experiences that strengthen parent-child relationships.

Participants can look forward to events such as:

community play activities and park learning spaces

craft, music, and storytelling programs

cultural events promoting children’s identity formation

digital and AI-based family relationship-strengthening activities

parent workshops, offering practical everyday advice

Additionally, the Majlisna Play Hub offers family-friendly experiences along with special discounts provided by partners participating in the program.

The Role of Science and Long-Term Goals

This year's events place special emphasis on a scientific approach, showing how small everyday experiences impact child development. Early care is crucial not only for children but for society as a whole: every dirham spent can yield up to seven times the benefit in future social expense savings.

The Early Childhood Week is a week-long event but doesn’t end on the closing day. The organizers continue their dedicated work throughout the year:

social awareness campaigns (e.g., "Early Years Matter")

research and innovation to support family well-being

acknowledgments to partners who have contributed outstandingly to the program's success

How is Success Measured?

Success is not solely measured by visitor numbers. A key aspect will be how many families and communities get involved, the diversity of partners participating, and the feedback received by the organizers. The initiative aligns with the UAE's 'Year of the Community' 2025 goals, aimed at strengthening cooperation and social cohesion.

Where to Find Program Information?

The full program list will only be officially available as the event approaches, but it is expected to be available online and through platforms related to the ECA. Events will be promoted in a way that ensures easily accessible, family-friendly programs in all regions – Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra.

Summary

The Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Week 2025 is not just a series of events – it is part of a long-term mindset shift. It is an initiative highlighting that the future is shaped by the moments of the present, especially when it comes to young children. The event's clear message is that every child has the right to a safe, loving, and developmental-supportive environment – and every parent, community member, institution, and policymaker has a role in this.

(Source of the article: Early Childhood Authority (ECA) press release.)