‘Letters and words’ early literacy conference returns to Sharjah

October 10, 2025 / 4:26 PM

Sharjah 24: Ahmed Abdulsalam Al Ali, General Manager of Kalimat Group, announced the details of the second edition of the Early Childhood Literacy Conference, titled “Letters and Words”, taking place from 10 to 12 October at the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The conference brings together more than 40 local and international experts to develop a clear and practical framework for teaching Arabic to nursery-aged children, addressing the lack of a unified approach to early Arabic language education.

Al Ali explained that “Letters and Words” is the first conference of its kind in the Arab world dedicated to early literacy, highlighting best practices and methods for teaching Arabic in the early years and presenting practical solutions to bridge learning gaps and help young generations master their mother tongue.

He noted that the conference features over 40 speakers and more than eight daily workshops, aiming to produce a tested and structured approach to teaching Arabic in nurseries.

Building a unified framework for early Arabic education

Al Ali emphasised the importance of establishing such a framework due to the absence of an approved system for Arabic language instruction at the nursery stage, where children often face challenges grasping basic concepts amid exposure to multiple languages. The event seeks to unify efforts and develop a guide for teachers and supervisors that aligns with children’s cognitive and linguistic development in early childhood.

He added that the conference programme is built around three interlinked components: a main platform for discussions and presentations featuring academics and educators from around the world; a series of training and creative workshops for teachers and specialists; and an interactive exhibition titled “Crossing Borders”, where children can explore phenomena and create imaginative digital scenes that enhance experiential learning.

Al Ali concluded that the conference outcomes will include a roadmap and practical recommendations for developing curricula and teaching methods for Arabic in nurseries, along with applicable assessment tools to improve the quality of early education and strengthen the presence of the Arabic language in children’s consciousness from the very beginning.