We’ve all heard parents use the phrase ‘they grow up so fast’ about their children. And with all the advances in modern technology meaning kids can often use a computer before they can count to ten, we can understand how they mature quickly.
One thing we hadn’t expected though was toddlers heading off to university.

But thanks to a new centre opened this week in Dubai Motor City, UAE tots can now swap diapers for degrees.

They may not be writing dissertations or staying up until midnight revising, but children as young as two can enrol - or be enrolled should we say - on courses at Kidville University.

Hiba Abduljabar - Early Childhood Development Manager at the centre explains: “The university programme guides toddlers through social skills within a playful setting as they transition to school. The class offers a curriculum that stimulates their natural curiosity as they explore new ideas.

Activities using blocks, dramatic play, a book corner, sensory and art, and small and big-muscle play encourage young children to touch, try, and think creatively.”

Sounds just like a normal play centre surely?

Well Hiba says it’s play in a more structured way: “Focusing on physical, social/emotional, language, cognitive, and artistic development, the Kidville University approach teaches children social skills needed for school and life.”

With three-hour classes involving art as well as ‘science and math exploration’, you’d wonder whether toddlers would get bored. And British expat and Dubai-based mum-of-two Jayne Salloum says the facility would have to be on the ball to keep
tots amused.

She says: “I like the idea of the art and being introduced to different subjects but three hours is quite a long time for young ones. At that age they’ll only stay interested for 15 minutes before you need to change whatever you’re doing with them. My son Noah is 19 months old and he’s in nursery for five hours a day, but he obviously goes from one activity to another in that time - it’s an open plan place where he can go outside as well.”

Hiba says by including gym, story telling, songs and music in the three-hour lessons, the children have no problems staying focused.

She adds: “Transitions between activities allow your child to become familiar with the structure of the day, and look forward to the next activity.” And with the debate ongoing as to whether teachers should reward good behaviour and single out children who’ve behaved badly, Hiba says child feedback is even given in a structured way. She adds: “Phrases such as ‘good job!’ are common ways to provide praise. In Kidville University, we complement these gestures with a description of the child’s behaviour.  This enables the child to recognise their behaviour and helps build their vocabulary too.

“For example, ‘You did it - you used red and yellow which made orange!’. With this statement, not only have you praised the child, you described the child’s behaviour that led to the praise and, creating an important association for the child.”