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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The UAE’s schools have been marking National Day this week, ahead of the national holiday. But what does it mean for kids here to grow up with a sense of identity, regardless of nationality? Helen is joined by Maddison Lewis from Horizon English School and Haniya Mirza, a sixth form student at Repton Al Barsha.

Meanwhile, this winter sees a longer school holiday coming after a packed – and for many people, stressful – term of tests, exams and sports. So, how can you use the next four weeks to help your child, tween or teen decompress and relax? Psychologist Maha Cooper has all the advice you need.

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It’s mathematically impossible, but 17% of parents believe they’re raising a child with international athletic potential. So, as a Repton Dubai unveils its new Sports Village alongside global football icons like Drogba, Marcelo, Pirlo and Kaká, we ask, what does healthy competition and encouragement look like for kids?  
Plus, as new research finds screens are replacing storytime, MC Grammar joins us to explain how rapping is making reading fun again…

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In a world driven by screens and structure, the art room is often the one place children can truly experiment, make mistakes and push their imagination. So how do schools nurture that freedom to build real-world skills? Helen asks two Dubai-based specialists.
Plus, children now spend nearly five hours a day on screens outside school, yet almost half of teens say their parents don’t understand their online world. So what would they tell you if they didn’t fear the consequences? Helen speaks to cyberpsychology expert Catherine Knibbs.

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From native languages to Arabic and others, how do we help our kids engage with new dialects? Helen hears from the experts at Repton Al Barsha and Horizon International School.

Plus, it’s shifted from the playground to phones and online platforms, but the impact of bullying remains huge. So, how do you help your child, tween or teen recover after bullying?

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We all know our children need to learn about modern technology - but what does that look like in practice and how do we balance progress with safety? Helen is joined by Andy Perryer, Head of Digital Learning at Cognita Enrich Me and Ian Wallace, Cognita's Director of Education.

Meanwhile, with 60% of the UAE's population, we learn how the British Council in Dubai is helping the nation harness the huge potential of its youth...

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