How the Library of Wonders is inspiring learning through discovery

Qatar Reads’ Library of Wonders is a multi-sensory educational experience that “excites and captivates” children of all ages by inspiring learning through curiosity and discovery.The mobile activation is currently stationed on Education City’s Green Spine as part of WISE’s Doha Learning Days – Qatar’s first experiential learning festival, which is taking place over six days and concludes today.Currently themed around the concept of curiosity, the Library of Wonders takes visitors on a journey based on the five senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch. Through a series of fun and educational games, visitors make their way through an interactive, multi-sensory maze, solving educational puzzles along the way. Al-Jazi al-Henzab, project manager at Qatar Reads, said: “The Library of Wonders is part of the Qatar Reads zone at the Doha Learning Days festival in Education City. “The theme of the Library of Wonders changes depending on the occasion. For this festival, we selected a theme based on the five senses, as it relates to the learning process – part of the overall theme of Doha Learning Days. Another example includes Qatar National Sport Day, where we focus on healthy living.“Through this activation, children use each of the five senses as learning tools. This is especially relevant as children have different ways of learning – some learn through reading, some through listening, and some through seeing.”Six-year-old Heba, who was accompanied by her mother, said: “I thought it was a magical place, because the stories looked real. I really liked it.” Echoing her daughter, Najwa Sinno said: “It was amazing – in fact my daughter wanted to go through the Library of Wonders again. It was a very educational experience.” Qatar Reads is an initiative of Qatar Foundation, designed to foster a culture of reading that places storytelling and discovery at the heart of the nation, while promoting innovation and imagination.As part of Doha Learning Days, Qatar Reads is hosting a number of fun, immersive activities, such as the curiosity station – held in collaboration with CurioCITY Center of Play – where children can learn how to make a volcano using baking soda. Other activities include storytelling sessions in English and Arabic and crossword puzzles.For more information about Doha Learning Days, and the activities on offer, one can visit www.wise-qatar.org/wise-2019/doha-learning-days/