Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Qatar National Library (QNL) hosted the second “Our Children Matter” forum, offering parents, educators, and caregivers valuable insights to support healthy childhood development. Themed “Healthy Childhood, Evolving Skills”, the forum featured insightful presentations on early childhood education, developmental milestones, and strategies to enhance children’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Maram al-Mahmoud, manager of Children’s and Young Adults’ Programmes and Services at QNL, said the forum emphasised key strategies to nurture child development during the formative years. “At QNL, we recognise that early childhood is the cornerstone of lifelong learning, and we are determined to continue the forum with the same goal, ensuring it remains a platform for meaningful dialogue and practical outcomes. “Through this forum, we aim to bring together parents, educators, and experts to exchange ideas and strengthen the foundations of early childhood development. By fostering understanding and shared commitment, we seek to build a community that nurtures every child’s potential from the very beginning,” al-Mahmoud added. Faten Azzam, senior librarian, Children’s and Young Adults’ Programmes, at QNL, said early childhood is the foundation for shaping a person’s character. "We aim for this forum to serve as a space filled with valuable educational guidance and information, reflecting our commitment to empowering those responsible for the care and upbringing of children”, Azzam added. The event featured experts in childhood development, including PhD researcher Ahmed Sbeata, founder and CEO of Kydzzo, a platform specialising in child and adolescent behaviour; Dr Maryam Ibrahim al-Shraim, an early childhood education expert with two decades of experience establishing public kindergartens in Qatar; and Heng Huey Bin, manager of the Children’s & Teens’ Library at the National Library Board of Singapore, who leads national children-focused initiatives.