– Hina Farhan
Ramadan is the month we all look forward to. It’s a month of spiritual elevation for all. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation for the blessings it brings. It’s an ideal environment for children’s upbringing, as they witness everyone striving to please Allah. This fosters their faith and instils values, as they naturally emulate good deeds around them. Ramadan thus becomes a prime opportunity for nurturing children and their faith.
Ramadan activities for children can be segmented into three phases:
– Pre Ramadan
– Ramadan
– Post Ramadan
Pre-Ramadan Activities:
Explaining the Multiplication System of Rewards: Boost their excitement by highlighting the significance of earning multiplied rewards during Ramadan. Help them understand that their good deeds during this month are highly valued and rewarded by Allah.
Book Cleaning and Donation: Since many students finish their exams before Ramadan nowadays, involve them in cleaning and covering old books to donate. Use this as an opportunity to teach them the Hadith emphasizing the importance of giving and taking care of belongings. Assign them responsibilities and guide them on how to handle books with care.
Ramadan Activities:
Setting Ramadan Goals: Encourage children to set personal Ramadan goals. Create a “My Ramadan Goals” worksheet where they can identify and write down three achievable objectives. These goals should be self-initiated and age-appropriate, focusing on aspects like prayer, charity, or improving behaviour.
Post-Ramadan Activities:
Reflection and Evaluation: After Ramadan, facilitate a reflection session where children can evaluate their achievements and experiences during the month. Encourage them to discuss what they learned, how they felt, and what they can improve upon in the future. This helps reinforce the values and lessons learned during Ramadan.
Ramadan Goals:
- The Goals have to be divided under three heads:
- Things I would like get better at this Ramadan;
- New things I would like to try;
- Things I can do right now to start my Journey of Ramadan.
New Activities to Try:
By involving children in these age-appropriate activities, parents can effectively nurture their spiritual growth and instill a deeper appreciation for the blessings of Ramadan.
- Introduce the concept of a “Ramadan Corner” where children can create a dedicated space for their Islamic activities, including prayer mats, Qur’an, and a Salah tracker. Additionally, suggest creating a
“Blessing Jar” to encourage gratitude by writing down daily blessings. Parents have to make sure that the Ramadan corner is cosy and comfortable so that children would want to spend more time there.
Engaging Children in Salah:
- Assign different roles based on age groups:
- Ages 5 to 7: Designate them as “Salah Monitors” to ensure silence during prayer times and supervise younger siblings.
- Ages 8 to 10: Encourage them to improve their Salah and set achievable goals for advancement.
- Ages 10 to 15: Emphasize the importance of understanding.
Salah and memorizing its meanings. Introduce the concept of Tahajjud and its benefits, encouraging them to wake up a few minutes earlier to perform it.
During Ramadan, it’s important to instill the habit of performing Sadaqah among children. Teach them about the 17 types of Sadaqah that cost nothing, emphasizing actions that can be done without spending money while still earning rewards. Assign age-appropriate Sadaqah tasks, such as teaching siblings about Wudu and Salah, helping in the kitchen, and making dua. Encourage children to spend time in their Ramadan space making dua, emphasizing the importance of praying for everyone, including the Muslim Ummah. By involving children in simple tasks and actions during Ramadan, we can nurture their spiritual growth and instill valuable Islamic values.
