Several simple and highly enjoyable activities aimed at developing key social and emotional
learning skills in children of all age groups were hosted at the Variety Workshop at the ongoing 12 th
Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF).
At a session held, two teams of kids faced off one another as they attempted to grab a coloured ball
from a box with a mechanical tong. They had to then run and drop it into a smaller basket placed 150
yards away. The team that managed to put most balls into the basket emerged the winner.
“These activities have been designed for children to learn the value of teamwork, and how to plan,
focus, and think fast so that they can execute the task quickly. They also learn how to compete with
one another,” explained Rana Mamlouk, the workshop presenter.
Children also played several other ball games within the one-hour workshop targeted at enhancing
their motor skills, critical thinking, ability to focus on a task, maintain speed during an activity, and
most importantly, developing their social skills.
“Some kids are very reserved and afraid to communicate with one another or may only want to
interact with their own siblings. In this workshop they learn how to share and communicate with other
kids as well,” added Mamlouk. “These games are very important for children especially as they spend
more time at home and almost always on gadgets.”
Hosting 537 activities by authors and creatives from 15 nations, the 11-day Sharjah Children’s
Reading Festival is held under the theme, “For Your Imagination’.