The global early literacy programme, hosted by Abu Dhabi Children’s Library at Cultural Foundation, aims to foster a lifelong love of reading from birth to five years old.
Cultural Foundation, a cultural centre under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), announces the launch of the globally renowned early literacy initiative, “1000 Books Before Kindergarten”. Carried forward under the motto “Reading Starts from Day One,” Abu Dhabi Children’s Library becomes the official local host in the United Arab Emirates for this programme, reinforcing its dedication to nurturing young minds and establishing a strong foundation for future learning.
Designed for children from birth to five years old, the “1000 Books Before Kindergarten” initiative encourages families to read at least 1,000 books with their children before they enter kindergarten. This programme is instrumental in reinforcing the critical role of shared reading in early brain development, language acquisition, and school readiness. The programme also recognises that parents and caregivers are crucial first educators during the critical 0-5 early years.
To mark the launch and empower participating families, Abu Dhabi Children’s Library will host a parent orientation session on 6 February at 5 pm. This session will introduce families to the programme framework, effective read-aloud strategies, and practical ways to integrate reading seamlessly into daily routines. The initiative will celebrate young readers’ progress at every milestone of 200 books read, culminating in a special celebration upon the completion of 1,000 books, motivating sustained engagement and a sense of achievement.
Throughout the programme, parents and caregivers will be guided along the reading journey, with access to curated book lists, reading tools, and continuous support from Abu Dhabi Children’s Library, ensuring families feel confident and supported at every stage.
With this initiative, Abu Dhabi Children’s Library reaffirms its role as a family-focused knowledge centre and a champion of early literacy. It empowers parents as their children’s first teachers, laying strong foundations for future learning and enriching the cultural and educational landscape of Abu Dhabi.
About Cultural Foundation
Opened in 1981 under the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Cultural Foundation was the United Arab Emirates’ first multi-purpose community centre, a public institution with a mandate to foster and nurture cultural consciousness for all citizens of the recently unified UAE. Placed next to the historic Qasr al Hosn, this building fundamentally represented a new outlook on the role of culture in the modern UAE, with the introduction of the first national library, a theatre, and a multi-purpose exhibition hall. Between 2009 and 2018, the Cultural Foundation underwent extensive conservation measures including repairs, rehabilitation, and some adaptive reuse. Its much-anticipated reopening took place in December 2018.
Cultural Foundation presents a cutting-edge visual arts programme of exhibitions, workshops, and events. It also showcases a world-class, contemporary, and home-grown performing arts programme in its newly renovated 900-seat theatre. It has transformed its library to become the Abu Dhabi Children’s Library. The state-of-the-art facility presents innovative hands-on learning programmes for children and families.
About the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi:
The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi’s culture and tourism sectors and its creative industries, fuelling economic progress and helping to achieve Abu Dhabi’s wider global ambitions.
By working in partnership with the organisations that define the emirate’s position as a leading international destination, DCT Abu Dhabi strives to unite the ecosystem around a shared vision of the emirate’s potential, coordinate effort and investment, deliver innovative solutions, and use the best tools, policies and systems to support the culture and tourism.
DCT Abu Dhabi’s vision is defined by the emirate’s people, heritage and landscape. We work to enhance Abu Dhabi’s status as a place of authenticity, innovation, and unparalleled experiences, represented by its living traditions of hospitality, pioneering initiatives and creative thought.
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