Early years are vital

Early years are vital Lily B. Libo-on (lily@khaleejtimes.com) / 27 May 2013 The experiences a child faces in his early years are exceptionally important as they lay the foundations for his future. This is how Basateen Pre-school manager Amal Al Amir, views pre-school education. Speaking at the graduation of 25 children, she said that these experiences are the bedrock of a child’s growth stages and future aspirations because they present the child with the opportunities and challenges to acquire the essential skills, which prepare future generations. The graduation ceremony, the 7 th of Basateen Pre-school Centre at Sharjah Ladies Club, was held at Kunooz Ballroom in the presence of Chairman of the Sharjah Educational Board Dr Abdullah Al Suwaiji; Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police Major General Humaid Al Hudaidi and Director of Sharjah Ladies Club, Khawla Al Serkal, along with a number of governmental pre-school managers in Sharjah and parents of the graduates. Al Amir said that the centre is committed to promoting and extending the learning and development of each child through facilitating quality early childhood care and education, fostering the educational domain, and promoting the skills of the students. “We endeavor to deliver this through securing an innovative and stimulating approach which embraces the values of the Arabic and Islamic cultures…I am proud today (to witness the) graduation of Basateen Pre-school Centre’s Class of 2013 and wish them every success and luck in their future. I would also like to thank the parents for the confidence they have instilled in us and we hope that we are able to shoulder this supreme responsibility and meet their expectations. I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the caregivers of the centre, specially the pre-school teachers”, she added. Abdullah Majid Al Qasimi and Sara Tayara, students at the centre, led the recitation of the Holy Quran by the students. A presentation of the Basateen Centre’s activities and achievements during the year was presented to the audience, followed by several dance routines and performances by the Basateen students such as a traditional song and dance and a religious song called “Ishq Al Emarat” and “Hal Hilalak ya Ramadan”. Dr Al Suwaiji and Al Serkal awarded the Basateen class of 2013 with certificates and posed for a group picture with the graduates. Following the award ceremony, the children, with their parents, headed to the “Al Juman” and “Al Murjan” halls where several activities and events were set up for children, including face painting. “I would like to thank Dr Abdullah Al Suwaiji for his support and attendance of the Basateen graduating 2013, 7 th batch. As I also congratulate all the parents on this lovely occasion and I wish all our students the best of luck,” Al Serkal said. Basateen Preschool Centre is one of the centres which take on full-time care of children before they enter kindergarten level. It also teaches children positive behaviors, Arabic language and the principles of the Holy Quran.   Taylor Scott International