It’d been twelve years in the making. The day finally that everyone had been waiting for arrived on 20 November 2022, when FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 kicked off at the breathtakingly impressive Al Bayt Stadium. The tournament’s opening ceremony was inaugurated with a message of inclusion from the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where he stated: “How beautiful it is for people to put aside what divides them in order to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time.”This message exemplified the tournament’s spirit from day one, which started…
Author: Laura Powell-Corbett
Moving away from your home country to settle somewhere new can be disorientating and confusing as an adult, let alone for a child who has little control over the situation. This, coupled with living in a fast-paced society where people come and then leave as quickly as they came, can mean a lot of big feelings for children. By talking about the move, whether it is yours or someone else’s, you are helping ease the anxiety your child may face when they don’t know what is going to happen next. One great way to help start the conversation is by…
Learning to read is one of the cornerstones of any child’s education. Reading helps children make sense of the world, develop language and listening skills, and understand many concepts.It plays a big part in children’s learning both in school and out. In fact, the UK-based National Literacy Trust shared data showing that young people who enjoy reading at home are five times more likely to read above the level expected for their age compared to their peers who don’t. Despite this, children often disengage with basic reading books, throw guiding pencils down in frustration, and clam up at the mere…
When discussing the benefits of playing sports, most people can rattle off a list of physical health benefits. While those are fantastic reasons to take up a new activity, the social and mental health effects are often left out of the conversation. Still, joining a sport is a great way for people of all ages to learn much-needed skills and lessons. This remains true whether your child takes up a popular team sport, such as football or rugby, or they are more interested in a solitary pursuit like climbing. There is a sport out there for every interest and personality…
When we landed in Doha three years ago, a multitude of feelings washed over me: exhilaration, apprehension, excitement, happiness, sadness. While it was overwhelming for me to settle into our new home, it was much more intense for my children. They had to settle into a new country, a new home, and a new school—all at the same time.Moving can be particularly stressful for children because of their need for stability, strong social ties, and familiarity. Luckily there are ways that we, as parents, can help our children settle into a new country.Lend an earKeeping the lines of communication open—including talking and…
With a seven-year-old, four-year-old and ninemonth-old, it is nearly impossible to find an activity that all three of my children will enjoy. I have often found it difficult to find entertainment which will keep all three of them happy. Because of their different interests and abilities, more often than not it’s the youngest who ends up missing out. That was the case until I took them to CurioCITY. Finally, there is a place in Qatar where children of any ability can enjoy the same entertainment centre.Opening its doors for the first time earlier this year on the Pearl-Qatar, CurioCITY is an…
As I watched my children playing, I realised that this year my goal is not to get fit, but to get more active. And more importantly, to have fun while being active.It is recommended that adults do a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, but no one wants to spend 30 minutes a day doing something they hate! So here are some fun, creative, ways you can keep active in Qatar.Learn something newGetting active can be seen as a solitary pursuit—think a lonely figure in the gym. Instead of taking yourself down to the gym and…
Living in Qatar amid a global pandemic has seen many changes implemented across the state to keep citizens and residents safe during these unprecedented times.With restaurants and hotels closed as we all practice social distancing, staying in has become the new going out. While some of you may be budding chefs using this time to perfect your signature dish, others are probably getting a bit sick of burning cheese on toast. If you’re the latter, never fear! Because the hospitality industry across Doha won’t let you down. Begone, burnt cheese on toast, and step up to the plate delicious fine…
As the Covid-19 outbreak sweeps across the globe, and Qatar closes shops, soft plays, and parks to keep its residents safe, you might be hearing your kids shout “I’m bored!” more often than you’d like.It’s time to get imaginative with fun ideas to keep the youngest members of your household entertained, without stepping outside your front door.Here are fifty, low cost, ways to entertain them without resorting to any screen time.1- Become a secret spy and send messages using invisible inkRaid your kitchen for the simple ingredient you need to make your invisible ink—lemon juice. Simply dip a cotton bud…
When the lockdown restrictions were first announced back in March and schools closed their doors to students, we couldn’t have predicted that children would finish the school year via virtual learning. Yet they did.It’s been a big upheaval for many families as they struggle to manage expectations with work and school. Plus, their children’s mental health, as their main form of social interaction had been ripped from underneath them.Thanks to careful management by Qatar, we have seen lockdown ease, with a set, phased plan to return to “normal” while still managing the risk of a second wave. Yet, as we…