Latest news with #Kumon
Gulf Today
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Sharjah Children hosted 110 special events in H1
In line with its mission to build a capable and creative generation, Sharjah Children, an affiliate of Rubu' Qarn for Creating Future Leaders and Innovators, organised more than 110 specialised programmes and events in the first half of 2025, reaching over 8,300 children aged 6 to 12. Around 3,800 participants engaged in nearly 100 specialised programmes focused on developing children's creative and leadership abilities in their areas of interest. In sports, children participated in activities such as climbing (a first-time experience), advanced sports workshops, and competitions in football, judo, taekwondo, athletics, and swimming. Artistic workshops, including visual arts led by Najat Makki, AI art blending heritage and technology, 3D art, and palm-themed sessions, saw strong attendance. In literature and languages, children took part in workshops like Fantasy World for creative writing and Journey with the Quran in collaboration with the Sharjah Foundation for the Holy Quran and Sunnah, learning recitation, tajweed, and meanings. Science and technology programmes, such as Kumon and Emirati Coder, promoted analytical thinking and tech skills. Life skills were cultivated through practical workshops in sewing, carpentry, recycling, and expressive communication, including sessions for Sharjah Children's Shura members. Performing arts, music, seasonal camps, and joint initiatives with Rubu' Qarn entities were also included. The institution held 14 major events, attracting over 4,500 children. These included the Sports and Arts Festival, Fun Cart, Emirati Children's Day, and participation in the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, as well as educational and community outreach initiatives. In competitions, around 500 children participated in 20 local and international contests, winning 30 prizes and medals. Highlights included the Arab Judo Championship in Jordan, UAE Taekwondo Championship, Sheikha Latifa Award for Childhood Creativity, and various art and environmental contests. Noura Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of Sharjah Children, said the accomplishments of the first half reflect the institution's commitment to empowering children and nurturing their talents. 'We believe the child is the seed of change and the maker of the future,' she said, adding that tailored, interactive, and educational programmes are designed to meet children's needs and spark discovery, expression, and growth. She affirmed that the institution will continue offering innovative experiences and national and international initiatives in the second half of the year to expand children's learning and development opportunities. Recently, Sharjah Children, concluded its spring camp, with the participation of 588 boys and girls aged 6-12. The camp was distinguished by a range of programmes and activities that combined fun and learning. The aim was to harness their energy and equip them with various skills through workshops, and scientific, sports, recreational, and artistic programmes held within the approved frameworks of the foundation. The goal was to ensure that their time was spent in a beneficial and enjoyable manner. The camp included more than 23 activities and workshops. These included reading workshops aimed at fostering creativity and exploring new and advanced reading skills among the participants. Notable workshops included 'Glowing Tales,' 'Ramadan in the Emirates,' and 'Star and Crescent Tales.' The participants also took part in various specialised activities and workshops in the life skills track, such as the Values Ambassadors workshop, My Craft workshop, My Health workshop, My Wooden Wallet workshop, and Needle and Thread workshop, which aimed to teach children sewing and embroidery skills and how to create simple handmade projects like bags and paintings, among other diverse workshops. The sports track witnessed the organisation of various sports activities and games aimed at promoting children's health, physical fitness, and skills development. These included basketball, football, tennis, and chess, in addition to the sports incubator programme and the professional swimming pool. The camp also included several art workshops, where participants were introduced to the skills and fundamentals of photography, understanding its technical and creative tools, and the art of editing. WAM
Sharjah 24
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Sharjah Children engages 8,300 children in 110+ programmes in H1
In sports, children participated in activities such as climbing (a first-time experience), advanced sports workshops, and competitions in football, judo, taekwondo, athletics, and swimming. Artistic workshops, including visual arts led by Najat Makki, AI art blending heritage and technology, 3D art, and palm-themed sessions, saw strong attendance. In literature and languages, children took part in workshops like Fantasy World for creative writing and Journey with the Quran in collaboration with the Sharjah Foundation for Holy Quran and Sunnah, learning recitation, tajweed, and meanings. Scientific and life skills empowerment Science and technology programmes, such as Kumon and Emirati Coder, promoted analytical thinking and tech skills. Life skills were cultivated through practical workshops in sewing, carpentry, recycling, and expressive communication, including sessions for Sharjah Children's Shura members. Performing arts, music, seasonal camps, and joint initiatives with Rubu' Qarn entities were also included. High-impact events and achievements The institution held 14 major events, attracting over 4,500 children. These included the Sports and Arts Festival, Fun Cart, Emirati Children's Day, and participation in the Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, as well as educational and community outreach initiatives. In competitions, around 500 children participated in 20 local and international contests, winning 30 prizes and medals. Highlights included the Arab Judo Championship in Jordan, UAE Taekwondo Championship, Sheikha Latifa Award for Childhood Creativity, and various art and environmental contests. Noura Al Shamsi: Children are tomorrow's changemakers Noura Al Shamsi, Deputy Director of Sharjah Children, said the accomplishments of the first half reflect the institution's commitment to empowering children and nurturing their talents. 'We believe the child is the seed of change and the maker of the future,' she said, adding that tailored, interactive, and educational programmes are designed to meet children's needs and spark discovery, expression, and growth. She affirmed that the institution will continue offering innovative experiences and national and international initiatives in the second half of the year to expand children's learning and development opportunities.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Modeling Work-Life Balance
As Kumon's assistant VP of franchise development, Angelo Chavez leads market research, expansion, recruitment, franchisee support & resale. Pay attention. The importance of work-life balance is growing. Employees want more flexibility in their work, better stress management, less burnout and improved delineations between their work and personal lives. The same should be modeled by business leaders whose aim is to improve working conditions for their teams, increase retention and improve productivity. As an assistant vice president for franchise development, work-life balance also means I need the right people in key positions to manage the day-to-day operations so I can get time to myself to recharge. This isn't just about splitting your time, but about how you plan and the intentional decisions you make to prioritize well-being for both you and your team. A Shifting Work Culture This balance between the personal and professional parts of life is all about finding a rhythm that allows teams to be productive and fulfilled, but without getting overwhelmed. As a leader, respecting employees' personal time, whether with their families or exploring personal interests, should be at the forefront in planning. Recent research supports this growing sentiment: For the first time in more than two decades, workers listed work-life balance ahead of pay as a key motivator, according to Randstad's annual Workmonitor study. The study surveyed over 26,000 workers throughout Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas. The report's findings show employees prioritize personalization, community and future-ready skilling. Employers need to monitor this growing trend or suffer the consequences. About 45% indicated they have campaigned for better work conditions, while about 44% indicated they quit a job because they thought their workplace was toxic. Like many companies, mine has adapted to the needs of our team members by taking steps to create a work environment that supports their well-being. When I first started, these types of programs didn't exist. Now, they're an integral part of the company culture, offering everything from stress and anxiety reduction workshops to team-building activities, outside speakers and other events that focus on stress management and relaxation. I've learned that companies that recognize the importance of mental and physical health in maintaining a productive and happy workforce can help the company thrive and be more successful. Modeling Expectations Modeling the balance between work and personal life has been a challenge throughout my career. First, it was with smartphones giving us the ability to check texts and emails outside the office. When I checked my phone, I felt like it helped in my career journey. I was the associate who was always on, responsive and available practically all the time. But there were moments where I felt like it was crossing the line. So, I tried different tactics to prevent work from encroaching on my personal life. At one point, I was leaving my phone in the car, so I wasn't tempted to check my messages. But that didn't last, and through self-reflection, I was able to create that barrier. Later on, the pandemic forced us to work from home. That really blurred the lines on where work stopped and home life began. Most people weren't prepared to work from home and had no idea how to balance those demands. It took a lot of work, but we adjusted to make the change. It's part of our company's culture. Recently, an annual cycling club trip this spring led me to the Japanese countryside. Outside Kyoto, I was cycling on roads tourists don't normally see. That meant answering emails, taking calls and attending meetings wasn't remotely possible from the confines of my bike saddle. I don't take much vacation time each year, so I made sure to use it to recharge, reset and have fun with friends. That meant modeling my work-life balance. I meticulously planned my time off to ensure there is no disruption to the team or the franchise owners we work with. Before I left, I created a message in my email signature letting people know I would be out of town during that time. Then, I reviewed plans with my team and our department heads, updated voicemails and out-of-office replies. This careful planning showed my team how to effectively manage their responsibilities and prepare for their own time off, and it helped foster a culture where everyone feels encouraged to rest and rejuvenate without impacting our work commitments. Prioritizing my time off demonstrated to them the importance of taking breaks and maintaining a balance between work and personal life. My advice: Put 100% of your time with the people in your life when you're not at work. Give that to them. They deserve it. You deserve it. Commit To Balance Work-life balance is an ongoing commitment to yourself and those around you. For me, it's about continuously adjusting and reflecting on personal and professional priorities. From a leadership standpoint, it's also about respecting those boundaries with my team members. For anyone looking to achieve work-life balance, I think the key is in the planning. Life is more than work, and we need to recognize that. If you're trying to spend time with the people in your life while you still have an eye on work, it's terrible. Make time for personal activities, set boundaries and prioritize your well-being. By taking steps like this, you and your employees can enhance professional performance and live a life that is more meaningful, satisfying and intentional. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
New York Post
11-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Concerned mom is ruffling feathers by urging parents to stop overscheduling kids: ‘This is crucial'
Parents, it's time to chill. A pediatric nurse practitioner is going viral for telling moms and dads to pump the brakes on ballet, soccer, piano and Kumon — because their kids are heading toward total burnout before they even hit first grade. Mary Catherine, aka @ on Instagram, is fed up with families turning into full-time Uber services, shuttling little ones from one extracurricular to the next with zero downtime in between. 'This might ruffle some feathers, but it's a hill I will die on as a pediatric nurse and mom to young kids… I firmly believe we are starting our kids in organized sports/ activities WAY TOO EARLY,' she wrote in a recent post. 'My daughter is in kindergarten and most of her classmates are involved in 2-3 after-school activities/ sports. That's A LOT.' Her prescription? Ditch the jam-packed schedules and give kids more time to just be kids. 3 One mom is slamming parents for acting like Uber drivers, hauling kids from one activity to the next with no breather in sight. liderina – 'Free play still needs to be prioritized in elementary age and younger kids. This is CRUCIAL,' she continued. Catherine swears by the 'one activity at a time' rule in her house for her two young kids — and experts say she's onto something. 'In my clinical experience, I've seen that children—especially those in early elementary years—who are consistently over-scheduled often present with signs of chronic distress,' Zishan Khan, MD, a psychiatric clinician, backed her up, telling Parents in a recent interview. Think: anxiety, trouble sleeping, mysterious stomachaches and enough sick days to rival flu season. 'The developing brain and body need downtime to process, grow and recover,' Khan added. 3 Catherine sticks to a strict 'one activity at a time' rule for her two tots — and the pros say she's not just winging it, she's right on the money. New Africa – Catherine emphasized the importance of letting kids engage in free play — the unfiltered, imaginative kind that doesn't require uniforms, scoreboards or permission slips. Khan agreed, calling free play 'critical' to childhood development. 'Through play, children learn to regulate their emotions, collaborate with others and develop a healthy sense of self,' he said. And while many parents might already be trying to squeeze in more free time for their kids, they still feel like it's not enough. As The Post previously reported, the average child already racks up 10 hours of play daily — split between parents, solo time and playing with friends or siblings — but three-quarters of parents say they still wish their child had more time for creative, unstructured play. 3 And while plenty of parents are trying to carve out more playtime, most still feel like it's a losing battle against the overbooked kid calendar. LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS – An overwhelming 92% of parents believe that kind of play is key to their child's growth and development — and they're not wrong. The top play activities? Physical games like dancing and ball tossing won out, followed by social play that involves sharing and teamwork. And while screen time is still part of the equation — kids clock about two hours a day on devices — most parents agree: off-screen play is crucial. Parents are also doing their part to keep curiosity alive. The same survey found they answer an average of 14 questions a day from their pint-sized philosophers — and many even study up to keep up. In the end, the experts and the data agree: When it comes to childhood, play isn't a luxury — it's essential.
NHK
30-05-2025
- General
- NHK
Chasing Hope in Africa
Pediatrician Kumon Kazuko runs a facility in Africa supporting the minds and bodies of children with special needs. This is the story of a Japanese doctor who has been a symbol of hope for 23 years.
