Over the past few days, many families in the UAE have found themselves navigating a lot of change very quickly. Children have gone from classrooms to online learning, routines have shifted, and there’s been a lot of uncertainty in the air. For young people especially, those changes can feel big and confusing and that was before last night's announcement of those new spring break dates which mean our kids will now be on leave a week earlier than expected. Psychologist Dr Dina Bedair has been supporting families across the UAE this week.

We also ask what it means for our kids' learning - we are joined by Charlotte Grieves, Head of Prep, Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai and Nick Hart, Principal, Horizon English School.

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The importance of climate education has never been clearer – but could environmental learnings be better delivered by our kids themselves? Helen meets two senior school students connecting with their peers via podcast.

Plus, we meet the experts tackling our kids’ boredom via a love of board games and books…

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From cultural traditions to Arabic language, Helen gets expert advice on how to get our children involved and engaged this Holy Month. And it’s easy to think that your kid would need to be a sporting star to focus on a career in the field – but could you be underestimating opportunities off-track?

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Parents in the UAE are now legally responsible for their kids online lives. But how do know what they’re doing on screen in school? How much edutech is in our classrooms, what are the benefits and what do parents need to know? Helens gets the lowdown from staff and stuedents at Ranches Primary School.

Plus, we’ve got all the advice you need if you’re keen for your kids to study in the UK.

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We’re focusing today on leadership that happens among students. From shaping school culture to influencing real decisions, student councils can give young people a meaningful voice and a sense of responsibility. We discuss how this is in practice with Sanaa Harb, Head of Post-16 at Horizon International School and head boy and head girl Sadeq Muhtadi & Sofia Riggio.

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Research shows variety in activity supports healthier habits over time, yet many children feel pressure to specialise early or overcommit when it comes to sports and ECAs. Helen gets the lowdown on how to encourage healthy participation and enjoyment with Gareth Moreday from Cognita Enrich Middle East and James Bennett from Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai. Plus, we're live from Xposure in Sharjah, where we meet the filmmakers and world creators in town to teach the Middle East's next generation of creators.

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As Emirates Lit Fest kicks off for 2026, our experts explain how the habits and confidence we build now can turn our kids into lifelong readers. Plus we meet the teen skier headed from Ski Dubai to the Winter Olympics, and talk childhood anxiety with the author aiming to tackle it.

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The KHDA decision to shorten school hours on Fridays has reshaped the rhythm of the school week. But what does that actually look like inside a school day? Helen asks Michael Morley and Kyle Lewis of RGS Dubai.

We also get advice on how to keep stress levels to a minimum during mock exams – for teens and parents alike – from Claire Togher of Repton Al Barsha, and we meet the man making life easier for left-handed learner

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Our kids are about to spend more time out of school on Fridays – so how do we encourage them off their screens and into their imaginations? Helen asks Leanne Galloway, Head of Early Years, Repton Dubai, and Amy Hughes, Assistant Principal, RPS.

Plus, with some parents across the UAE discovering their child may be eligible to start school earlier than OT Adam Griffin and educational designer Hollie Mayes talk school readiness.

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One of the UAE’s most influential business leaders, Khalaf Al Habtoor, founder and chairman of Al Habtoor Group, says students need hands-on work experience long before graduation, arguing that academic study alone isn’t enough for the modern workplace. But where are those opportunities and how can we ensure our kids are getting access to them before they make critical decisions about their careers? We're joined by Audrey Hametner, the founder of The Bedrock Program.

And as we're nearing the longest winter break we've ever had here in the UAE, we ask, how should we making the most of the school break? Cognita ENRICH ME's David Tagney and Amanda Buckley of Horizon International School are here to help.

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