TEACHING CHILDREN ISLAM
TEACHING ISLAM TO KIDS
By sister (cristina) Mariam (cristinna7@yahoo.com, www.withkidsinmind.net )
May 19, 07 – Jummada al Awwal 2nd, 1428
¨ This article explores primarily the topic of teaching Islam to childrenas well as methods of teaching, in shallah.
¨ All parents know they have a responsibility to Allah T’Ala to teach Islam to their children. However, the question becomes how early/late they should do this: when is the child formally prepared to start learning about the deen, what kind of info should be taught at what stages and through what methods?
¨ AGE GROUPS & LEARNING:
- every child goes through different physical and intellectual stages; therefore, every child is different. However, as general guidelines, we know that small children learn easily by example. They simply love to “copy” their parents. In the beginning years (1 to 4), parents can teach my making sure that kids learn the “basics” – such as knowing that Allah is One, saying “Bismillah” before eating, making dua before going to washroom, etc. As the child approaches four years old, he/she can be taught surah “Fatiha” and a few beginning surahs.
- At the ages 5-7 the child can start the religious education – in a more formal environment – such as a religious teacher, or the parents can teach his/her own and other kids, or a madrassah.
- However, a word of caution: OBSERVE HOW THE CHILD RESPONDS TO HIS/HER OWN TEACHER, in shallah. If the child makes positive statements (I like Islam, I like the alphabet, my teacher is so good, etc.) – this means that the child should continue that learning root with the same teacher. However, sometimes, the child does not feel comfortable with his or her teacher and starts making negative statements about Islam on a continuous basis. The teacher could be very good – it just may happen that the personalities of the teacher and of the child do not match. Therefore, the parent has to make an effort to find a teacher who is appropriate for his/her child, a teacher to whom the child feel a connection and would like to be like that person.
- Later on (ages 8-10) children build on their Islamic knowledge by continuing with reading the Holy Qur’an, stories of the sahabah and other Islamic stories. The parents should strive to teach the children by providing an Islamic environment to their child and continuing the activities their child enjoys. The parent should also strive to be a good Muslim him/herself, as to provide practical teaching to their child.
- Parents can also initiate Islamic programs in their own home, such as Islamic story-telling or some kind of Islamic competition on different Islamic topics to make the kids more interested in Islam, etc.
- Depending on the child’s ability and training level – the parents can send their kids to do Hifz programs – while for the Arabic speakers, this can be also done from their home (using a computer reciting program) and then parents checking the acquired daily knowledge. A teacher is highly recommended because it ensures some supervision and commitment to learning the Qur’an.
- Throughout the teenage years, the child should be expected to practice Islam according to the deen requirements; at this stage, the parents should still supervise the child and ensure that their contacts (circle of friends) are good Muslims, or at least that some of their friends are Muslims – to be able to keep the Muslim identity and way of life in a circle other than home. It is also a good time for the kids to do an Alim program, or at least try to improve their knowledge from home or at the masjid with the help of the family.
¨ TEACHING METHODS:
- teaching methods should vary – especially for the younger learners, as to provide variety and interest and a zest for learning.
- Pay attention – as some “teachers” use sticks to “teach your kids” – right from the beginning this is a failed plan and may even backfire and send the child into kufr (Authu Billah).
Suggested Methods:
- Charts and diagrams
- Colour and learn
- Group Repeat (a child is given a word/phrase; each member of the group then repeats it)
- Index Cards
- Islamic story circle
- Kids competitions (with Islamic topics)
- Playing as a reward for Islamic or non-Islamic learning (organizing games, sports and activities).
- Question & Answer Sessions
- Reading stories to your kids
- Review – of previously learned concepts
- Sipara (traditional methods, reading the Holy Qur’an and learning duas)
- Speeches & lectures
- Study group (kids get together and learn one topic)
- Team Competitions
These are just some methods suggested – parents can get creative and use a variety of methods. They can experiment with these methods and see what is most suitable to their child. Some kids are more competitive, while others prefer study groups and learning as part of a team. Parents should ultimately use the methods they observe to be most suitable to their children. These methods can be used also for secular subjects as well.
For any questions or comments on this article, you can e-mail sister Mariam at cristinna7@yahoo.com; for a variety of education topics, you can visit the Islamic Kids Website (www.withkidsinmind.net )
By sister (cristina) Mariam (cristinna7@yahoo.com, www.withkidsinmind.net )
May 19, 07 – Jummada al Awwal 2nd, 1428
¨ This article explores primarily the topic of teaching Islam to childrenas well as methods of teaching, in shallah.
¨ All parents know they have a responsibility to Allah T’Ala to teach Islam to their children. However, the question becomes how early/late they should do this: when is the child formally prepared to start learning about the deen, what kind of info should be taught at what stages and through what methods?
¨ AGE GROUPS & LEARNING:
- every child goes through different physical and intellectual stages; therefore, every child is different. However, as general guidelines, we know that small children learn easily by example. They simply love to “copy” their parents. In the beginning years (1 to 4), parents can teach my making sure that kids learn the “basics” – such as knowing that Allah is One, saying “Bismillah” before eating, making dua before going to washroom, etc. As the child approaches four years old, he/she can be taught surah “Fatiha” and a few beginning surahs.
- At the ages 5-7 the child can start the religious education – in a more formal environment – such as a religious teacher, or the parents can teach his/her own and other kids, or a madrassah.
- However, a word of caution: OBSERVE HOW THE CHILD RESPONDS TO HIS/HER OWN TEACHER, in shallah. If the child makes positive statements (I like Islam, I like the alphabet, my teacher is so good, etc.) – this means that the child should continue that learning root with the same teacher. However, sometimes, the child does not feel comfortable with his or her teacher and starts making negative statements about Islam on a continuous basis. The teacher could be very good – it just may happen that the personalities of the teacher and of the child do not match. Therefore, the parent has to make an effort to find a teacher who is appropriate for his/her child, a teacher to whom the child feel a connection and would like to be like that person.
- Later on (ages 8-10) children build on their Islamic knowledge by continuing with reading the Holy Qur’an, stories of the sahabah and other Islamic stories. The parents should strive to teach the children by providing an Islamic environment to their child and continuing the activities their child enjoys. The parent should also strive to be a good Muslim him/herself, as to provide practical teaching to their child.
- Parents can also initiate Islamic programs in their own home, such as Islamic story-telling or some kind of Islamic competition on different Islamic topics to make the kids more interested in Islam, etc.
- Depending on the child’s ability and training level – the parents can send their kids to do Hifz programs – while for the Arabic speakers, this can be also done from their home (using a computer reciting program) and then parents checking the acquired daily knowledge. A teacher is highly recommended because it ensures some supervision and commitment to learning the Qur’an.
- Throughout the teenage years, the child should be expected to practice Islam according to the deen requirements; at this stage, the parents should still supervise the child and ensure that their contacts (circle of friends) are good Muslims, or at least that some of their friends are Muslims – to be able to keep the Muslim identity and way of life in a circle other than home. It is also a good time for the kids to do an Alim program, or at least try to improve their knowledge from home or at the masjid with the help of the family.
¨ TEACHING METHODS:
- teaching methods should vary – especially for the younger learners, as to provide variety and interest and a zest for learning.
- Pay attention – as some “teachers” use sticks to “teach your kids” – right from the beginning this is a failed plan and may even backfire and send the child into kufr (Authu Billah).
Suggested Methods:
- Charts and diagrams
- Colour and learn
- Group Repeat (a child is given a word/phrase; each member of the group then repeats it)
- Index Cards
- Islamic story circle
- Kids competitions (with Islamic topics)
- Playing as a reward for Islamic or non-Islamic learning (organizing games, sports and activities).
- Question & Answer Sessions
- Reading stories to your kids
- Review – of previously learned concepts
- Sipara (traditional methods, reading the Holy Qur’an and learning duas)
- Speeches & lectures
- Study group (kids get together and learn one topic)
- Team Competitions
These are just some methods suggested – parents can get creative and use a variety of methods. They can experiment with these methods and see what is most suitable to their child. Some kids are more competitive, while others prefer study groups and learning as part of a team. Parents should ultimately use the methods they observe to be most suitable to their children. These methods can be used also for secular subjects as well.
For any questions or comments on this article, you can e-mail sister Mariam at cristinna7@yahoo.com; for a variety of education topics, you can visit the Islamic Kids Website (www.withkidsinmind.net )
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