Creative lab workshops develop creativity in storytelling and creating responsible digital content among children

ABU DHABI, 1st April / WAM / The Creative Laboratory of the Creative Media Authority in Abu Dhabi hosted a group of virtual workshops in the field of creative media, with the aim of introducing students between the ages of 9 and 12 to the basics of storytelling, screenwriting, and digital content creation.

The initiative, which was held during the spring break, attracted 38 students from across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, including the Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions, and provided them with an early opportunity to learn about the creative media sector through interactive educational experiences aimed at enhancing creativity and self-confidence and encouraging self-expression, while the workshops were presented in Arabic and English, giving children the opportunity to learn the basic principles of storytelling and explore their ideas through writing, drawing and creative discussions.

The first session, which was presented by the Creative Lab team in cooperation with the “Majid World” team from Abu Dhabi Media Network, focused on script writing and developing storytelling skills and their basics, including creating characters, building the plot, and forming the structure of the story. Participants had the opportunity to write their own stories in Arabic or English, and present them to their colleagues during the session, which strengthened their confidence in their abilities for creative expression and developing public speaking skills.

The second session, which was organized in cooperation with the Animation Media Group, dealt with narration methods via the YouTube platform, where students learned about the principles of producing digital content and presenting stories visually, by creating illustrations and ideas for story characters, and learned about the mechanisms of designing attractive and conscious content targeting the audience through digital platforms.

The session highlighted the importance of the safe and responsible use of modern technologies, in line with the slogan of this year’s UAE Children’s Day, which focuses on enabling children to employ digital tools in a safe and innovative manner.

The workshops coincided with Reading Month in the UAE, highlighting the importance of storytelling, reading and creative writing for emerging generations.

During the sessions, the students wrote their stories, poems, and letters of thanks and appreciation addressed to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, may God protect him, which reflected their creativity and admiration for the wise leadership of the UAE.

Aisha Al-Junaibi, Director of Talent Management at the Creative Media Authority, said that introducing young generations to creative media skills from an early age contributes to helping them discover the importance of storytelling and enhancing their confidence in expressing their ideas. The Creative Lab aims to develop curiosity, creativity and critical thinking among emerging generations, while giving them real opportunities to learn about the media and creative industries sectors.

She added that cooperation with sector partners and expanding the scope of learning opportunities throughout the emirate contributes to establishing a solid base for the next generation of storytellers and content makers who contribute to supporting the growth of the creative economy in the UAE.

Cooperation with partners in the sector played an important role in the program, as experts in the field of media presented a summary of their professional experiences with the students.

The workshops were also presented by Valeria Korotina, a specialist in the distribution of animation series and digital content from the Animation Media Group, along with Manal Al-Falouji, a producer and writer of children’s programs in Majid’s World, where they guided the students on the basics of script writing and storytelling.

Parents welcomed the initiative, noting the positive impact of encouraging children to write and tell stories from an early age.

Hanaa Muhanna, one of the mothers, said that the workshop was outstanding and the efforts made deserve appreciation. She expressed her happiness at seeing the children writing in Arabic and presenting their stories with confidence, looking forward to more initiatives that support creativity and learning among children.

For her part, Moza Al Shamsi, one of the mothers, added that her son enjoyed attending the workshop, which focused on stimulating creative ideas and placing them in a fun and attractive context. She expressed her happiness with her son writing the events of his story and interacting with the guides during the workshop.

For their part, the students expressed their enthusiasm to participate in the sessions and learn how to create stories and characters. Hazza Al-Lailili, one of the students participating in the workshops, said that he learned from the workshop how to write stories and gain self-confidence while telling them in front of others. It gave him the opportunity to write his own story and present it, and he wrote a poem of pride for His Highness the President of the State.

The workshops contributed to highlighting a number of promising talents in various creative fields, including voice-over, storytelling, and public speaking skills, which reflects the enthusiasm of younger generations to explore the creative media sector.

The Creative Lab was keen to provide virtual workshops, ensuring enhanced access to creative learning programs for children throughout the emirate, and giving participants from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra the opportunity to benefit from this creative educational experience during the spring break.

This initiative reflects the Creative Lab’s ongoing commitment to developing creative talent and building a sustainable path to prepare a new generation of storytellers, content makers and media specialists, in a way that supports the growth of the creative economy in the UAE.

These workshops constituted a successful experience that paved the way for expanding digital educational programs in the future, benefiting from the success of the seasonal programs organized by the Creative Lab, including summer and winter media camps.

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