Dubai: Are you a new parent? Still figuring out how to correctly place a diaper on your baby, or the best way to gently discipline your toddler?There are a number of parenting skills training courses you shouldn’t miss, if you’re based in Abu Dhabi.Here’s all you need to know about this government-led initiative.What is the initiative about?The Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development (DCD), which is the regulatory body of the social sector in the capital, introduced a series of life skills training programmes between 2023 and 2025 that aim to enhance personal and community development.Among the 19 programmes launched, which range from financial literacy to mental health workshops, three focus solely on parenting skills. The courses are completely free to register, and are open to both Emiratis and expatriate residents.The programmes are part of Abu Dhabi’s Family Wellbeing Strategy, which focuses on strengthening families as the foundation of a connected and productive society. The initiative also aligns with the UAE’s National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which aims to promote an advanced country with vibrant cities and communities, a sustainable lifestyle that preserves national resources, and a cohesive society.Which programmes are related to parenting?Organised by the city’s Family Development Foundation (FDF), there are three training courses you can register for, to pick up key parenting skills in the early years of your child’s development. According to FDF, the programmes empower parents to support their child’s growth through problem-solving, emotional development, and positive discipline strategies.Here are the programmes, along with their unique eligibility requirements:Parenting skills for early childhood stage: The participant should be one of the parents, family members, or caregivers for children within the age range of newborn to eight years, or caregivers in nurseries, or primary school teachers, or social workers.Parenting skills for adolescence stage: The participant should be a parent or caregiver for children within the age group of 9 to 18 years, or primary/secondary school teachers, or social workers.Strengthening the role of men in positive parenting: The participant should be a father or a male caregiver of the family member, or a secondary school teacher, or a social worker. Documents requiredAll you require to attend the training course, is your Emirates ID. The course is free of cost.How to applyIn order to register for any of these training courses, visit TAMM, Abu Dhabi’s official integrated services portal, at tamm.abudhabi. Follow these steps:Log in using your UAE PASS.Select ‘Social Care’ and then click on ‘Social Support’. Click on any of the above three parenting skills training courses.Fill out the registration form, and include details such as your full name, mobile number and address, as well as whether you prefer an in-person or virtual setting. Select ‘Submit’.Once your eligibility has been confirmed, you will receive an approval notification via SMS, as well as further details on the timing, duration, and location (if in-person) of the training course.
