Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Authority (ECA) has recently launched a research campaign aimed at promoting a thriving research culture and ecosystem in the field of early childhood development. Over the past three years, the ECA has allocated more than Dh12 million to fund 18 projects focusing on various topics such as the role of fathers in child development, atypical language development in Emirati children, and causes of absenteeism in schools.
The awareness campaign, which was announced in September, includes community events held in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and Al Dhafra. These events, hosted at venues like Yas Mall, Khalifa Park Library, and Umm Al Emarat Park, aim to provide parents with fresh insights into the ECA’s important work.
The primary goal of this ongoing initiative is to attract individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in research related to early childhood development, covering the age group from birth to eight years old. The ECA plans to launch its annual call for grant proposals by the end of this year, inviting researchers to submit their ideas for potential funding.
Hamda Al Suwaidi, the head of data and research at ECA, emphasized the intention to boost research in early childhood development, not only within established disciplines like psychology, education, and pediatrics but also in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and engineering. The aim is to encourage research in critical areas that can inform government programs and policies concerning child development, as well as guide parents and caregivers in their daily care for children.
To foster collaboration between the government and academia, the ECA has organized workshops in collaboration with the Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and Zayed University. These workshops explore new methods of cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Past research projects supported by the ECA have focused on fathers’ experiences and their engagement with children. The ECA recognized the scarcity of research specifically dedicated to fathers, as most studies worldwide tend to focus more on mothers.
The main challenge faced by the ECA is the allocation and coordination of research efforts. To address this, their campaign seeks to bridge the gap between government, academia, and the community. By considering a range of disciplines and perspectives, including those from machine learning and engineering backgrounds, the ECA aims to create a robust and integrated early childhood development research ecosystem.
In order to achieve this goal, the ECA organized a research retreat on October 31, followed by a government round-table discussion on November 1. These events facilitated discussions on fostering and strengthening partnerships across academic disciplines and sectors related to early childhood development.
Noura Al Ghaithi, the Undersecretary at the Department of Health, highlighted the importance of these studies and research projects in supporting the emirate’s health policies, especially for the youngest children. Creating a comprehensive early childhood development research ecosystem can lead to innovative solutions, approaches, and technologies that enhance the quality and reliability of healthcare services provided by the Department of Health.
Through these initiatives, Abu Dhabi’s Early Childhood Authority aims to prioritize evidence-based policies and programs that positively impact child development, promoting collaboration, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary research.
