Nisma Rafiq Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — Childhood is like a seed which needs proper nourishment and care before it grows into a beautiful flower. Doaa Al Hothify, a child psychologist and founder of Get Smart Center (GSC), along with her team of trained teachers has initiated a mission to improve children's abilities by developing their intelligence, personality and talent. "When I went to London I was inspired by GSC there. I felt the absence of an activity center in the Kingdom. So, I came back and started working with the same method in local schools and later opened GSC here," she said. The center offers different programs for kids between the age group of 1 -12. "It offers educational program preparing children for school, and another program called 'The Forum of Beauties' is especially designed for development of girl's personalities, self-confidence and talents. ‘The Forum of Heroes' is a program that aims at developing boy's personalities and directing their abilities toward achieving goals." Seven-year-old Ghina Al Ibrahim has been visiting the center to complete her homework, and learn different activities. "I love this center," she said. "My aim is to innovate the way of learning. I teach them through objects, arts and they are happy. We talk individually to the kids, get to know their level and teach accordingly," said Summaiya Saati, an English teacher. GSC also offers special programs for kids with special needs. It helps in evaluation and diagnosis of a child and offers IQ tests. It has a psychiatric clinics providing therapy and psychological counseling for children and their families.
"What makes our center unique is the session with parents and kids together. Special needs children must be given great care at home, and we tell parents to how to get involved with them," Al Hothify said, adding, "We have programs for ADHD and Auditory Dyslexia. GSC also arranges educational workshop for mothers, field trips and behavior improving program." “My son has a speech problem. I admitted him to this center six months ago, and now with the will of Allah, and hard work of the staff, he has improved to great extent," said a mother. The center also has a Fun Club which offer activities such as swimming, cinema and theater, teachings from the life of Prophet (peace be upon him), My Library, Musical Sports, Cooking, Smart Games, Art and Drawings among others. "GSC is under the supervision of Health Ministry, but it could advance to greater degree if more support is provided by the government and parents," Al Hothify said. "It caters to the needs of growing child right from analyzing the personality to identifying and directing the talent toward productivity. Every kid is smart at Get Smart Center."
