The summer holiday is almost over and September means back to school in Dubai and the UAE! Here are a few options for your child’s education. From special needs, supplementary learning and extracurricular activies, nurseries and schools - we’ve got you covered!
Time to Get Back to School!
Brooklyn Melodies Music Center
Brooklyn Melodies Music Center is one of Dubai’s leading music educational establishments and has nine locations located at Arabian Ranches 2, Jumeirah Park Pavilion, Mirdif, Uptown Mirdif, Meadows Village, Studio City, Jumeirah Al Wasl, JBR and Dubai Mall. Dedicated to its mission of providing students with the highest quality of individual and group instruction in music and dance, the school offers lessons in piano, guitar, violin, drums, vocal, theory lessons, and dance to all ages. Their priority is to develop instrumental performing and offers international examinations such as the ABRSM and Rockschool Exams (UAE exclusive representative) from Prep-Test (ABRSM) or Debut (ROCKSCHOOL) up to Grade 8, and all levels of Diplomas. They strive to give the best music and dance education. Call 04-4471884 or 04-5519901 or visit www.brooklynmelodies.com.
First Steps Nursery
First Steps Nursery is a place that adopts the Multiple Intelligence Approach to teaching. Each child is assessed individually and the specialised educators devise a learning plan for each child. Exciting activities, fun science explorations, monthly personal development targets, cooking sessions, water splash play and weekly public speaking performances are a regular part of their unique learning experience. They have an international cohort of qualified educators on board who design lessons that bring about amazing progress and success in their students. Awe-inspiring learning outcomes are delivered without compromising on fun and creativity in the kids! First Steps Nursery also focuses on English Language Development and has professionals that can help with speech delays and other learning delays. They have a unique special needs programme as well, along with the regular classes. Call 043486302 or email firststepsnm@gmail.com.
Mathnasium
Mathnasium is a math learning center offering children aged five and above custom made lessons that help increase math skills and overall school performance. After a thorough written and oral math assessment, they will tailor-make a personalised learning programme for your child. Filled with illustrations and puzzles, these exercises map the way towards a deeper understanding of math. The programme suits students who are struggling with math, doing well or clearly ahead in math. Call the centres in Al Barsha on 04-3958911, Business Bay 04-4561603, Jumeirah 04-3441040, Knowledge Village 04-4216939, Motor City 04-4542707, Uptown Mirdif 04-2363668, Sharjah 06-5561030 and Abu Dhabi 02-5558785 or visit www.mathnasium.ae.
My Nursery
My Nursery is a bilingual Arabic and English nursery in the heart of Dubai. Located on Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1 with easy access and parking, it offers a safe, comfortable, secure and happy environment for children aged from two to four. Your child is always their first priority. They give them their earliest experience of formal education and strive to make it their second home. The unique, bilingual curriculum is based on building a child’s character, encouraging independence, stimulating creativity and building physical abilities. They deliver information in a fun and exciting way that will help a child remember what he or she learned. Instruction is carried out in Arabic and English with equal proficiency, and whilst the Islamic culture is at the heart of My Nursery, they also teach respect of other cultures and religions. Call 04-3441120 or visit www.mynursery.ae.
Nord Anglia International School Dubai
Nord Anglia International School Dubai is part of Nord Anglia Education. Their global family of 41 international schools provides outstanding education to over 32,000 students from preschool through to the end of secondary education at 34 locations in 15 countries. Nord Anglia International School Dubai is an academically selective British international school following the highest standards of UK independent education for students aged 3 years to 16 years. At NAS Dubai, values such as respect, good manners and social confidence are woven into the fabric of the school.The exceptional, well-qualified teachers lead classes with no more than 20 students provide an inspiring environment to encourage and teach your child to become an ambitious learner, while studying an internationally enriched British curriculum. Their enhanced language curriculum in Mandarin, French, German, Spanish and Arabic will facilitate your child in becoming a truly global citizen. Visit www.nasdubai.ae, email admissions@nasdubai.ae or Call 04-2199999.
Oakfield Early Learning Centre JLT
Following the UK Early Years (EYFS) curriculum, Oakfield is a KHDA approved Early Learning Centre for children from aged 2 months to 5 years. Staffed by qualified and experienced practitioners, Oakfield is an innovative, purpose built and well fitted out centre with excellent resources, all sourced from Europe. It has a number of specialised rooms including a large library, Arabic room, music & movement room and gym. Oakfield is a ground floor facility in the JLT area and has easy access and parking. They are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday and offer a variety of flexible timings to suit your needs. They also take children on an hourly drop-off basis. Oakfield is opening an Achievement Centre in September that will offer children with special needs a one-to-one learning facility. It will also offer an after school programme for Early Years children who would like the benefit of an additional boost with their schoolwork. Call 04-3607338 or visit www.oakfieldedu.com.
Skills for Kids
Skills for Kids provides individual educational programmes for children and teenagers who are not yet ready to attend mainstream schooling, and who are currently not being attended to in an academic fashion. The children welcomed in Skills for Kids are aged 5 to 15 and diagnosed with; autism, Down Syndrome, speech delay, cognitive delay, developmental delay, physical disability and behaviour problems. The services are administered by a group of qualified teachers and therapists, and are provided in two forms: day school programme and individual therapies sessions. Their programme will evolve into the following support areas; parent and nanny training, mainstream school teachers coaching, family counselling, behavioural and educational assessments, 1:1 therapies and a summer camp for day programmes during the non-academic months. Call 04-3284668 or visit www.skillsforkids.ae.
Taaleem schools
Inspiring the learners of today to become the leaders of tomorrow, Taaleem pride themselves in preparing their students for a future even they cannot yet imagine and to become compassionate and lifelong learners. They are passionate about offering their students the very best of learning environments in which to flourish. The International Baccalaureate (IB), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and Council of International Schools (CIS) accredit the schools and many of the students are accepted into Oxbridge and Ivy League universities. Find out more about the Taaleem family of schools where they create the environment for outstanding achievement. Visit www.taaleem.ae.
Tender Hearts Arena
Tender Hearts Arena is a recreational centre for kids with special abilities, located in Umm Suqeim near Burj Al Arab. The centre provides hope for parents of special children who struggle on a daily basis to find a place where their children can spend a few hours to have some recreational activities. They not only provide recreational activities for these special children but also evaluate and enhance their skills. The initiative seeks to enhance the skills of differently abled kids, while developing their social skills, and above all self-esteem. They ensure specialised one to one attention, custom built classrooms for defined recreational activities, as well as a fully stocked library, all under supervision of close circuit cameras and specialised activity leaders. Recreational facilities include yoga, martial arts, arts and crafts, brain gym, dance, theatre, cooking and music, with specialised and highly trained instructors. Additional activities are being planned for the future. Call 04-3213138, email info@tenderhearts.ae or visit www.tenderhearts.ae.
The Mother Tongue Center
The Mother Tongue Center is specialised in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers. They adopt the modern standard Arabic which is the language of education in all Arabic countries, making communication much easier with a wide range of speakers. The centre has a language laboratory for Arabic curriculum development with high academic specifications meeting different levels and needs required by individuals and companies alike. This laboratory is supervised by senior professors of Arabic language and its sciences. The teachers are highly qualified and have a strong cultural and practical background, which enables them to deal with learners of different ages, backgrounds, levels and abilities. They also employ the most modern visual and audio equipment to make the learning process more interactive, interesting and useful. Call Dubai on 04-3382229, Abu Dhabi on 02-6393838 or visit www.mothertongue.ae.
Yana Kalwani, Co-Founder of Pantry Café and mother of two, shares her school lunch packing tips.
- Balance healthy with fun: In kids’ minds healthy = boring. Challenge this perception by introducing healthy snacks. Try adding a couple of baked crisps or a whole wheat cookie to go with their fruits. I bake Banana muffins using whole wheat flour and flax meal or oats. Other fun items that my kids like to find in their lunch boxes include popcorn, edamame with rock salt, Actimel and strawberries with cream.
- Get your kids involved: Having your child help out in the kitchen makes sure they feel good about what they are eating. Getting them involved in the planning process and allowing them to choose from a couple of (healthy) options ensures that they know what to expect in their lunch boxes and gives them a sense of ownership for their own healthy choices.
- Don’t experiment: I never add new/experimental dishes in their lunch boxes that they haven’t tried before. If there is a recipe that I would like to introduce to them, I’ll first serve it at home a couple of times before packing it in their lunch box. Kids are fussy eaters and sometimes get intimidated when trying new foods.
- Prepare a weekly meal planner: A weekly planner helps to ensure that all daily nutrient requirements are met. A planner also comes in handy when doing your weekly grocery shop: I make sure to plan ahead to pack enough carbs for each day to help them get the extra energy they need at school.
- Leave notes: These are a great way to reassure your child that you are thinking about them while they are away from home. After a certain age, lunch time for kids becomes about more than just eating - they are also learning to socialise with other children. Throwing a joke or a riddle into their lunch box allows them to share a laugh with their friends or to break the ice with new peers.
What's more? Back to school recipes from Pantry Cafe...
Cheesy Spinach Quesadillas, Easy Chicken Tenders
Pencils are sharpened, name tags are fixed, pages are pristine white and clean - it’s that time of year again where children go back to school after a long summer break. Dr Hala Fikri Mohammed El-Hagrasi, Consultant - Pediatrics Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, gives parents comprehensive tips on how to ensure the transition is a smooth one.
Immunization
Almost all schools will not admit a child who does not have an immunization record. Check with the school nurse on what vaccines are required. The common ones are Hepatitis, Polio and Chicken Pox.
Eye tests
One in 20 children can’t see out of one of their eyes. Vision testing by your paediatrician is a good way to determine if your child has an eye problem and needs to be referred to a specialist. A child who cannot see clearly cannot perform well at school. Continue Reading >>
Little Things UAE presents to you hands-on art activities kids can entertain themselves this summer. These collections bring about a sense of independence, imagination and creativity in every child. Little Things UAE offers artistic merchandise inspired characters in the movies that children enjoy. Check out the merchandise here >>
Getting organised for back to school has inevitable perks, but it should not in any way take away the tranquillity and solace of holidays too early into the vacation mode. We just need to keep brainstorming those swanky minds with plenty of reinforcement so going back to school becomes as fun as holidays itself.
Milestones Nursery teachers share a few of their tried and tested tips as being mums themselves, to prevent all sorts of back to school mayhem. Tips from the Nursery Teachers >>
All children love to go and play at a friend’s house. Whether it is someone from school or just next door, playing with other children in their homes can be one of the joys of childhood. However, as a parent this can be extremely worrying, especially if you do not know the other child’s parents and their values. With the many different cultures in the UAE and the fact that some children are left in the care of house maids, it is important to know that other parents have the same standards about safety and respect. Continue reading >>
As a parent, finding the right school for your child was the first of many important decisions you needed to make. So, when it comes to that all-important first day of school, it’s perfectly understandable to have concerns and worries - but beware these can be transferable! Being worried is normal because your child starting “big school” can be almost as daunting for you as it is for your child... Continue Reading >>
School is back on and so is Shoe Mart’s ‘Back To School’ Collection. Get your kids ready for yet another academic year ahead as one of the region’s leading footwear and accessories brands unveils a delightful array of smart and comfortable styles that will go perfectly with school wear. Join our competition here >>
Lately, it seems that kids are just as interested in fashion as adults. Not all schools require kids to wear a uniform, so back-to-school season is a fun time for them to start experimenting with their look, by trying different styles and new trends. Here are a few back-to-school trends that mix and match old and new clothes for school. Read here >>
If you have kids, you may be wondering what’s the best way to channel their seemingly boundless energy? While traditional team sports are a good way to get your kids physically active, they may not be right for all children. Dance classes offer a great alternative to team sport and are beneficial for kids of all ages. The Children’s Program at James and Alex Dance Studios is split between four age groups and plays to the strengths of each, ensuring that their entire individual needs are met. The kids’ term starts on Saturday 12th September with term fees starting from Dhs 700. Call 04-4470773.
More to follow so watch this space...