Dubai: As the principal of Yellow Kite Nursery, I’ve seen firsthand how the power of language can bring people together. I believe that language is much more than just words—it’s a bridge to understanding, empathy, and peace. From the moment children join us, we celebrate all the ways they communicate, whether it’s through a joyful babble, a shared story about their weekend adventures, or even a simple sign. Language is at the heart of everything we do, and we’re passionate about nurturing it in all its forms to help build a foundation for mutual understanding, acceptance and peace.
Language Learning from Birth
Language learning starts long before a child speaks their first word. Babies communicate with their eyes, smiles, and those adorable little coos and babbles. At our nursery, our team sings, reads, and talks to our children throughout the day, creating an environment where language comes alive in many different ways. We also use actions and signs to help our littlest ones express themselves before they have the words to do so. It’s about making everyone feel included and understood right from the start.
A Diverse Team for a Rich Learning Environment
One of the things I’m most proud of at Yellow Kite Nursery is our wonderfully diverse team of educators. Each member brings their unique language and cultural background into our nursery, and we embrace them as a natural part of our everyday interactions. This diversity allows our children to hear and see different ways of speaking and communicating, fostering a sense of curiosity and openness to the world around them.
Learning Together Every Day
We always say, learning at Yellow Kite Nursery is a two-way street. While our educators share their knowledge and skills with the children, we also learn so much from our little ones. They remind us every day how exciting it is to discover new things and how language can be a bridge to new friendships and understanding. We create plenty of opportunities for our children to talk to each other, play together, and learn from one another. Whether they’re negotiating over a toy or coming up with a story together, these interactions are where real language learning happens.
A World Rich in Text and Stories
We are all about creating spaces that inspire a love for words and stories. Our nursery is filled with books of all kinds—not just storybooks, but also magazines, newspapers, maps, and even recipe books! We want to show children that reading and writing are part of everyday life, and there’s so much joy in discovering new words and stories. We have cosy corners where children can snuggle up with a good book or explore our lending library, which includes a selection of Arabic books to take home. It’s all about making literacy a fun and engaging adventure.
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Taking Time to Listen and Learn
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s so important to take a moment to slow down and really listen—to our children, to each other, and to the world around us. We encourage our educators to use every moment as a language-learning opportunity, whether it’s labelling objects, describing what we see, or simply having a chat. It’s these everyday conversations that help children learn new words and concepts, and it’s amazing how much they pick up when we take the time to talk and listen.
Celebrating Our Multicultural Community
Being part of such a diverse community is something we celebrate every day. Our children are exposed to a variety of languages, including Arabic, French, English, and even sign language. We integrate these languages into play and everyday activities, making them a natural part of our nursery life. We believe that it’s all about immersing children in a multilingual environment where they feel comfortable exploring different ways of communicating.
Partnering with Families
I firmly believe that families are children’s first and most important teachers, and we’re here to support them every step of the way. Raising a child truly does take a village! We focus on building strong partnerships with parents and caregivers, offering guidance and sharing resources to help them support their child’s language development at home. Whether it’s directly through the nursery libraries or workshops with external professionals, we want to ensure that everyone in our community feels empowered to contribute to their child’s learning journey.
Storytelling: The Heart of Literacy
To us, literacy is about more than just reading books; it’s about telling stories, sharing experiences, and connecting with others. We encourage our children to share their stories, whether they’re recounting a fun day out or imagining an adventure in a far-off land. These storytelling moments are magical—they help children develop their language skills and build empathy and understanding for others. The connections that are made through these stories are ones that are built on a solid foundation, and benefit our children for years to come.
Building a Foundation for the Future
At the heart of everything we do is a belief in the power of language to bring people together. By fostering a love of languages and literacy from a young age, we’re not just helping children learn to read and write. We’re helping them understand different perspectives, appreciate diversity, and build the social and emotional skills they need to navigate the world around them.
I am proud of our commitment to evolving our techniques and creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive. We believe that by embracing multilingual education, we’re not only supporting our children’s development but also laying the groundwork for a future where understanding and peace are at the forefront. And that’s something we think is truly worth celebrating.
This article is contributed by, Laura – Principal of Yellow Kite Nursery (formerly Kangaroo Kids). Her career is marked by continuous learning, with additional qualifications in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), adult education, and early years education. Throughout her diverse roles in both small-scale childcare businesses and larger nursery groups, one constant remains—her unwavering dedication to the well-being and development of the children and families she serves.
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