Redwood Montessori Al Marina Launches Future-Ready Learning Spaces

Redwood Montessori Nursery, founded by leading early education provider Kids First Group, is proud to unveil a new suite of specialized learning environments at its Al Marina branch in Abu Dhabi. These purpose-built spaces are designed to enrich the Montessori experience and develop the essential human skills children will need to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

While AI is transforming how we work and communicate, experts agree that the most important abilities for the next generation are uniquely human: empathy, creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability. At Redwood Montessori Al Marina, these traits are nurtured from the earliest years through hands-on experiences that ignite children’s curiosity, focus, and confidence.

Pottery Room – Mindfulness and Motor Skills in a Distracted World
In Redwood’s new pottery space, children shape clay with their hands—strengthening fine motor control while cultivating mindfulness and concentration. Research shows that sensory-rich activities like clay work can significantly improve children’s focus and patience by slowing down the pace of learning and anchoring them in the present moment. This also supports emotional regulation and persistence—skills that often erode in today’s fast, screen-saturated environment.

Kitchen Area – Building Independence and Executive Function
In the nursery’s dedicated kitchen space, children prepare real snacks and meals, gaining independence and pride in practical tasks. Studies confirm that food preparation activities build executive function—the mental skills used for planning, attention, and goal setting. As children  cut, measure, and clean up, they’re not only strengthening fine motor coordination, but also developing responsibility, sequencing skills, and confidence in their own capabilities.

Atelier – Expressing Emotion Through the Arts
Redwood’s atelier is a Reggio-inspired art studio where children use paint, sculpture, and storytelling to explore their feelings and ideas. Visual art has been shown to enhance emotional intelligence and communication—key soft skills for collaboration and empathy.

Carpentry Area – Fostering Grit and Problem-Solving
The new carpentry corner invites children to plan, measure, and construct using safe, age-appropriate tools. Research into open-ended building play reveals strong links to improved spatial reasoning, persistence, and problem-solving. When children build with real materials, they gain a tangible sense of cause and effect—and the resilience to try again when things don’t go as planned. These are foundational traits for future innovators and makers.

“These spaces were designed not just to entertain, but to empower,” says Kamil Najjar, CEO and founder of Kids First Group. “They help children develop soft skills that AI cannot replace—like creativity, initiative, and emotional connection—all through joyful, real-world learning.” The Al Marina branch is also one of the few nurseries in the UAE offering an in-house therapist, ensuring each child receives personalized support and inclusion from day one. All Redwood classrooms are guided by deeply trained Montessori educators who observe each child’s unique interests, helping them follow their own learning path at their own pace.

With more than 34 nurseries across the UAE and Doha, Kids First Group continues to lead in early education by creating nurturing, future-forward environments that equip children with the mindset and skills they need to thrive in a complex world.