A Return to Normalcy

Why Physical Classrooms Matter Most for Young Learners? 

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

From learning new words to making new friends, young children across Bahrain are stepping back into classrooms as nurseries and kindergartens reopen for in-person learning following the latest government update on the functioning of educational institutions. For many families and educators, this isn’t just a reopening - it’s a long-awaited return to normalcy as classrooms fill again with tiny footsteps and curious questions.

Educators

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Renuja Issac, owner of Building Blocks, a preschool dedicated to children with special needs, expressed her joy. “We are so thankful to be able to resume our services for children with special needs and their families again during these uncertain times,” she said, adding that many families have welcomed the move as routine, play, and social interaction are key to young children’s emotional stability and development.

Across the sector, educators agree that screens simply can’t replace the magic of a classroom, highlighting the benefits of in-person learning, while noting that online learning can be challenging to sustain effectively especially for young children.

Mona Alqaed from ‘Kidzworld kindergarten’ management noted that virtual classrooms cannot fully replace physical interaction. “Classrooms become more child-led than teacher-led in person and rightly so, catering to each child’s cognitive thinking. Every child is different in how they understand and perceive things, and in-person classrooms contribute greatly through activities and play,” she said, adding that most parents are keen to return, with only a small number currently abroad opting for online continuation.

Nisha, Principal of New Horizon Kindergarten, said they are fully prepared to welcome students on the 8th for the new academic year, with safety measures in place.

Parents

But perhaps the strongest voices are those of parents witnessing the difference firsthand. Jabeena Sultana, whose child recently returned to school, said, “Every day, my child comes home learning a new word, an idea or a story, and I couldn’t stop smiling,” capturing the small yet powerful moments that define early learning.

In bright, playful classrooms, Bahrain’s youngest learners are once again finding their rhythm through learning, play, and connection.