Quran

Islam For Kids: 10 Summer Activities For Muslim Children

Islam for kids: Islamic summer activities for kids

Summertime is the perfect time to create fun learning opportunities for your children. Making Islam fun for kids can seem like a daunting task, but here are 10 activities to help your children enjoy Islamic learning and the lovely summer weather at the same time! 

And for the days when the weather doesn’t seem so inviting, there are some great indoor activities as well!

Islam for kids: Islamic summer activities for children

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Islam For Kids: All About Allah

Making Islam fun for kids begins with nurturing a love of Allah (SWT). These 3 interactive activities make a great a start:

99 Names Hunt

Print out the names of Allah from this website and stick them around your house or garden for your kids to find. Choose places that are clean and keep the the names off the ground. This can be a regular activity and you can focus on certain names each time you play.

Photo credit: quotelovin.com

To make the game a little more challenging for older children, try saying the English name and your child has to find the Arabic translation, or vice versa. This activity is perfect for opening a discussion about the many amazing qualities and attributes of their Creator. 

Would you like some more 99 Names activities? Discover other ways to teach the 99 Names through play!

Related: How to Teach the 99 Names of Allah to Children

Allah Created… Nature Study

Go for nature walks and help your kids create their very own scrapbook of beautiful things Allah (SWT) has created. They can press flowers or leaves into their book, draw sketches of animals, go birdwatching or collect specimens of minibeasts! This bug catcher kit is loads of fun for little explorers!

Nature Study is a wonderfully interactive way to discuss the purpose and perfection of each thing Allah has created. Your kids will learn how different creations work together, such as when bees collect nectar from flowers! If you’d like to make Nature Study a regular part of your homeschool, check out these posts.

Related: Nature Study for Children

Feelings Wheel

This activity is a beautiful way for your kids to develop their own personal connection with Allah (SWT). Using the feelings wheel, they can see Allah as their Lord Who is there for them when they are feeling sad, angry, sick or happy. This will create healthy discussions about emotions as well as reinforce their learning of Allah’s names and attributes. 

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Islam For Kids: Qur’an Study

Just because summer is here doesn’t mean the Qur’an lessons need to stop! Add some creativity to your Qur’an sessions with these activities:

Take It Outside

With the sun shining and the temperatures rising, it can be difficult to hold your kid’s attention during Qur’an lessons. So, pack a cosy blanket and a picnic and take it outside! This will be an exciting change for your kids and help them associate positive and happy memories with learning the Qur’an.

Qur’an Journaling

Get creative and pull out all the art supplies! Using this simple structure for Quran journaling, help your kids interact with the Qur’an and engage with it. The art supplies make this incredibly fun and your kids will learn that the Qur’an can teach and comfort them when they need it.

Related: Help you Children Memorise Quran FAST!

Islam For Kids: Salah Time 

Use the summer weeks to help your kids focus on their salah and develop a healthy prayer habit!

Salah Tracker 

Salah trackers are a brilliant way to help children become personally responsible for their own salah and celebrate their progress. Allowing your kids to be independent with their salah shows them you trust their own prayer journey. These trackers from Muslim Mommy are perfect to get you started!

Prayer Space

Having a dedicated prayer space for their salah adds to the excitement for children. Fill their space with things they love that will help them feel positive and happy during every salah time. Plus, you can bond as you set up the space together! Help your children design their own salah posters and add comfy cushions to curl up with whilst they perform their post-salah adhkar (supplications). Check out this amazing Salah Space!

Islamic Calendar | Rajab Activities for Children

Islam For Kids: Stories of the Prophets

Studying the prophets is the perfect way to help children discover wonderful role models. With Muharram upon us, why not focus on the amazing stories about Musa (AS)?

Build A Boat 

Stretch those S.T.E.M muscles and build a boat! Begin with the famous story of Musa’s mother placing him in a basket as a baby and floating him along the river. Use these ideas to build your own sturdy boat or basket. Then, if the weather allows, head to a lake, river or stream nearby and discover how sea-worthy your models are! 

Photo Credit: inspirationlaboratories.com


Red Sea Study 

You can’t learn about the Prophet Musa (AS) without learning about the Red Sea. The story of Musa splitting the sea to escape from the evil Pharaoh has all the ingredients children need for an engaging story!

However, by studying the Red Sea you can help your children realise how true the story is. Knowing the sea really and truly exists will upgrade this story from exciting to mind-blowing for your children. Help your kids draw, colour or label their own map of the Red Sea. You could take this further and put together a geography presentation!

Seerah Story Time

Well, after all these activities your kids will be going to bed fulfilled, happy and oh-so-tired! Soothe them to sleep with a regular bedtime story of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Make sure you end on a cliffhanger each night! This will leave your kids eager for the next instalment the following night. Curl up in bed together and bond over the beautiful stories that fill the life of the final messenger. This book from Leila Azzam is a wonderful addition to any Islamic library for kids.

Share your summer!

I would love to see what you and your children get up to this summer! Tag @OurMuslimHomeschool on Instagram or Facebook and share your summer activities so we can all see what fun you’re having!

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Help your Children Memorise the Quran FAST!

Help children memorise the Quran

Many of us dream that our children will memorise the Quran.

We hope that etching those noble words into their hearts will help to shape them as they grow up; that the Quran they learnt as children is never forgotten but is a source of support and guidance for them throughout their adult lives. We hope that memorising the Quran will raise their rank, and ours, in the next world. Ameen

Help your children to memorise the Quran fast

This blogpost contains affiliate links. See Disclaimer for more information.

“The one who recites the Quran and learns it by heart, will be with the noble righteous scribes (in Heaven) and the one who exerts himself to learn the Quran by heart and recites it with great difficulty, will have a double reward.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4653; Muslim, 798)

This inspiring story is from one of our readers, Sr. Sarwat Hussain, who has kindly allowed us to share her wisdom and advice on how you can help your children to memorise the Quran fast. inshallah.


All Praise is due to Allah, the most merciful and beneficent.

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu, I am Sarwat Hussain.

Alhamdulillah I am blessed with two kids, Maryam and Ibrahim. Maryam is 8 and Ibrahim is 7. Maryam started memorizing the Quran at 6 and completed at 8, Alahamdulillah. It was a great journey. My both kids are homeschooled.

The first time I noticed Maryam’s interest in Quran was when she was sitting next to me holding the Quran. She started saying Subhanallah. She was just 18 months old!

How to help children memorise the Quran fast

1.    HOW DO OUR CHILDREN MEMORISE THE QURAN?

Alhamdulaiilah, we just got more organized. We just made sure all necessary duties were taken care of so we could sit with Maryam without any interruptions.

With our support, she spent 3.5-4 hours a day memorising the Quran.

Maryam also used to attend the local masjid for the hifz classes three days a week. Our local Imam kindly offered us classes online too.

 She use to listen Imam Misri Al Afasy audio to correct her tajweed. We established the rule to repeat every new Ayah at least TEN times before moving onto the next one.

You can listen to the Quran, and Imam Misri Al Afasy audio on Amazon Music!

After that she would connect everything together and read it back to me. 

We started with three Ayahs per day. As time went on, subhanallah, she was able to do it 3 pages per day Alhamdulillah.

I always with her while memorizing new Ayas. The biggest challenge was to keep up with the Juz she had already  memorized (Manzil). Now I listen to her recite two juz per day as revision. 

2.    LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

The children have very limited access to the TV and Gadgets. Throughout our Quran learning we have sat in a quiet room. We never sat where there were other people to distract us. We think this was the key. She had online hifz classes also and we were very strict with attending this class.

As parents, we always try to teach them that Islam is not separate from our daily life. Islam is not just about performing Salah or reading the Quran. It is a way of life. You practice it in everything. We always teach them to be good with neighbors and respect the others from the different belief systems.

How to help your children memorise the Quran

3.    HOW DO WE KEEP IT GOING?

It is not an easy journey. We turned to Allah for the guidance and make dua for them whenever we face the challenges and always tell them that “You are very special, Allah likes you lot and bestowed his blessings to memorize his book, Al Quran Kareem”. We try to talk about the Angels, Jannah and the shaytaan.

Bedtime Quran stories and Seerah stories helped us lot to motivate them. We are still learning and improving ourselves to raise them as a good Muslims. Please pray for them.

May Allah make them among the most righteous of Muslims. Ameen. Ya Rabbul Alameen.

Alhamdulillah, Maryam started learning Arabic language. Inshallah, it will help her to understand the Quran with detail so that she can teach the importance of the Quran to the young generation. Inshallah, this will help to motivate and inspire them to learn and memorize the Quran.

We would love to provide some tips to the parents who are planning to choose this path.

You can follow us on Facebook page @HafizaMaryamRiyaz  or Maryam F Riyaz). Inshallah we will try our best to answer your questions.

Help your children to memorise the Quran FAST!

What an inspirational story! With the dedication of her parents, she memorised the whole Quran in just two years and at only 8 years-old! mashAllah!

If you are a homeschooling mother and have an inspirational story that you would like to share with our readers, please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you and we would all love to hear your story!

Have your children memorised the Quran? What advice would you offer other parents whose children are hoping do the same? Leave me your tips in the comments below!

I’m so grateful you stopped by!

Peace and Love,

Memorise Quran for children FAST!

Day in the Life | What Homeschooling is REALLY LIKE!

Let's Read by WordUnited

Watch this video and spend the day with us! See what home education in the UK really looks like for Our Muslim homeschool!

Home education simply means to educate your children outside of the mainstream school system. What that looks like for each family is different but for us, as it does for many others, it involves plenty of time outside, sports and activities with friends and formal studies at home.

To get a better idea of what Homeschooling looks like for us, Watch this YouTube video!

Watch how we teach Quran, our swimming classes, outdoor time and a heart-to-heart chat about “What homeschooling is REALLY like!”

 

This video and blog-post was sponsored by WordUnited, who kindly sent me their Arabic and Phonics programs, and compensated me for my time. This blog-post also contains affiliate links. See Disclaimer for more information.

Homeschool UK Vlog

WordUnited

WordUnited is an incredible website that stocks hundreds of high-quality educational resources for children aged 0-13. They have everything you can imagine on that site, from beautiful baby toys, resources for literacy, numeracy, science, special needs and even multicultural toys section! With hundreds of new products being added every week, WordUnited is set to become the next big thing!

Let's Read by WordUnited

WordUnited kindly sent me two sets of books to review; the “Let’s Read” program, which teaching children the foundations of phonics, and the “Let’s Read Arabic” program which teaches children how to read Arabic words.

Phonics books by WordUnited

Each set consists of eight books. As your child progresses through the program, they gradually increase in complexity and build upon lessons learnt in previous books.

Learning Phonics with WordUnited
I love visual cues under each word to highlight the different sounds!

The books are small and easy for young hands to hold, as well as colourful and engaging to to children. They illustrations feature realistic high-quality images of objects that children will be familiar with in their lives. I really appreciate how the creators of these books have used visual cues to highlight the individual sounds that make up each word.

Let's Read Arabic WordUnited

These books are ideal for home educators are they include parent guidance at the beginning of each book. This is really important to read as it clearly explains what is being covered and how to use that particular book effectively. I love it when a curriculum make it simple for parents!

Let's Read Arabic WordUnited

The books can be purchased individually, or as a complete set.

Let's Read Arabic WordUnited

To see my children using the books, WATCH THIS VIDEO.

Make sure you also visit their Amazing Website. You will be blown-away by the variety of products they have on offer!

CLICK HERE for the “Let’s Read Arabic!” 8-book set.

CLICK HERE for the “Let’s Read!” 8-book phonics set.

 

Other Products Mentioned:

Safar Qaidah (Indo-Pak Script)
Graded Steps in Quran Reading (Uthmani Script)
Digital Timer 
Audible 30 FREE TRIAL + 1 FREE AUDIO BOOK

Go Outdoors Store

If you are interested in seeing what homeschool curricula we are using with our children CLICK HERE!

Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to watch our YouTube video. I hope it’s left you feeling inspired and given you something to think about.

Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and Facebook!

Please remember us in your duaas.

Peace and Love,

Dr Gemma Elizabeth our muslim homeschool

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A Week in our Homeschool | 11-15th September 2017

Muslim homeschool week

Take a peek into our homeschool week! In this blog post, I am excited to share snippets of our week!

This week was officially our 2nd week of using the homeschool curriculum Ambleside online. So far, I have found using a set curriculum strangely liberating!

Up until this point, I have always enjoyed piecing together my out curriculum. However, with my work online and my homeschool shop growing, I wanted to find something that took the pressure of me a little. So far, Ambleside online’s curriculum is doing just that!

Our Muslim Homeschool uses affiliate links in blog posts and sidebar ads. See Disclaimer for more information. 

Monday 11th September

Monday usually means recovering from a busy weekend! This Monday we kept things simple with morning school, Quran class and then a trip to the park. Today was also the first time we read from A Child’s History of the World and we loved it!

Muslim homeschool week
Pizza and Shakespeare!

Muslim homeschool week
Baby doll goes first!

Muslim homeschool week

Tuesday 12th September

Tuesdays are usually busy day for us, and this Tuesday was no exception!

With swimming, French AND wrestling classes all on one day, we struggled to do all the subjects that I had planned.

We managed most things, but we didn’t have time to read from Our Island story or Understood Betsy. Don’t worry.. we made up for it later in the week!

Muslim homeschool week Muslim homeschool week

Wednesday 13th September

The boys had fun today adding to their Book of the Centuries. We added in the historical figures Harun al-Rashid, Charlemagne and King Harold II . We also managed to start reading Understood Betsy, but my boys were not impressed! I will keep persevering!

In the afternoon, the boys went for Quran classes and Muslim scouts. Muslim homeschool weekMuslim homeschool week

Thursday 14th September

Today we read from the Burgess Animal Book and my children really love it.

They have learn so much about Rabbits and the rest of the rabbit family from the two chapters we have read. The stories are rally engaging and are a wonderful way to introduce children to biology and natural history.

We are currently in the middle of landscaping the garden, but with the torrential rains and storms we’ve had all week, nothing has been done for awhile! But the kids are enjoying the mud!

Muslim homeschool week
Happy toddler!

Muslim homeschool week

Friday 15th September

On Fridays the books are put away and we go outdoors!

This morning was spent exploring nearby woodland.

Muslim homeschool week nature walk

Muslim homeschool week nature walk
He spotted a hare! Run!

Muslim homeschool week nature walk
If you were a hare which way would you go?

Muslim homeschool week nature walk
Are you in there?

We didn’t have any kind of agenda today except that I asked them to find a leaf to take home to paint into their nature journals.

It’s been a long time since we used watercolours and I wanted them reintroduce watercolours by painting something simple.

I had a go too and it was so relaxing! I’m very keen to add to my nature journal again!

Muslim homeschool week Muslim homeschool week

Unfortunately, because we were having too much fun in the woods, and because I forgot to bring my watch, we got home too late to go to Friday prayers at the mosque. Astaghfirullah. Next week I will be better prepared insha’Allah.

In the afternoon, after their French class, the children spent time with their grandparents!

Muslim homeschool nature walk
That light….

Today, whilst out for our walk, I was struck with gratitude; how fortunate I am to be spending my days with my children and walking outdoors in the beautiful British countryside today.

In the thick of it, sometimes forget how blessed I am but being outside reminded me of how lucky I truly am. It forces me to slow down and reflect. There is something about the light in a forest, the way is peeks through the canopy and illuminates pockets of the woodland floor, that always strikes me. There so much to learn from being still and observing creation.

This week with Ambleside online has gone very well. Although we have fallen slightly behind in our reading of Understood Betsy and Poetry, I am confident we can easily catch up insha’Allah. The only thing left to do this weekend is work through the next chapter in our Islamic studies books.

I have really enjoyed sharing our week with you, and I hope you enjoying reading about it!

If you have any questions, please leave them for me in the comments below and I will try to answer them as best I can.

Peace and Love,

Dr Gemma Elizabeth

 

Teach Your Kids Islamic Studies…ONLINE!

Ali and Sumaya school review

Teaching your children about Islam can be a daunting prospect! Where do we start?

How do we teach the material?

Once they do start learning the various Islamic sciences, how do we keep up the momentum and maintain their enthusiasm.

How can we encourage our children to want to learn about Islam?

What are the best online resources available to help parents?

Ali and Sumaya school review

This blog post was sponsored by aliandsumayaschool.com. See disclaimer for further details.

I was recently introduced to the Ali and Sumaya school, an online Islamic school, that teaches children the principle Islamic sciences, from the comfort of my own home.

It has been such a blessing to incorporate it into my children’s Islamic education, and I am so excited to share it with you.

Teach your children Islamic studies online!

What is an Online Islamic School?

When we first logged on, I was so impressed! It’s like an Islamic version of ABC Mouse! mashAllah! Instead of teaching phonics or maths, it teaches children Quran, duaas, Arabic, and more!

Ali and Sumaya school homepage

The children absolutely adore it, and really look forward to doing their lessons! I have seen an incredible shift in their attitude towards learning the Islamic sciences. When I announce that it’s time for Ali and Sumaya school, they rush to get to the computer and watch one another do their lessons.

They even recognize the characters in the school from the Ali and Sumaya DVDS, which only adds to their enthusiasm!

Ali and Sumaya school Arabic

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What does it teach?

The Ali and Sumaya school currently teaches:

  • Memorisation of Quran (Hidfh)
  • Reading Arabic
  • Prophetic Duaas
  • Salah
  • Wudu

However since we began the programme, about 2 months ago, they have continued to offer more levels,and add more learning material to their website every month!

Ali and Sumaya school

How does it work?

Most lessons offered involve your child watching a short animated video, where the material is explained. These videos have been made to a very high standard! The audio is clear, with beautiful recitation of Quran, and the animation is amazing!

Ali and Sumaya school Quran

Then after practicing what has been taught, they complete a short quiz to ensure they have understood the lesson.

They way the school assesses memorisation is very simple, but very clever. The teacher will recite part of an ayah or duaa, and then conceal part of it with a “beep”. The child then has to decide what is missing from the duaa, and select the correct answer from a number of options.

Ali and Sumaya school online quiz

If they pass the quiz, they are awarded a “badge.” The badges are the equivalent to virtual stickers, and my kids love collecting them!

Ali and Sumaya school badge

A nice feature on the site is the presence of a leader board. For every lesson you complete, you are awarded points, and the students with the highest number of points will feature on the global leader board.

What age does my child need to be?

There are no specific requirements for age or experience. The only thing I would recommend is that your child should be able to comfortably use the mouse or a tablet, otherwise they may struggle to complete their lessons.

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Are their sources reliable?

There are so many different ways people practice Islam today, especially with regards to worship. The creators of the Ali and Sumaya school consulted a number of religious teachers from Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

If you have any further questions about the scholars and sources that were used, you can email the Ali and Sumaya school directly. Click HERE for their contact details.

Ali and SUmaya school duaas

How long are the lessons?

The time each lesson takes does vary between subjects and levels. However, the makers of the Ali and Sumaya school recommend that children spend 10-20 minutes on each lesson, as few times a week to get the most out of the programme.

We have chosen to use these online classes slightly differently. Instead of everyday, we have been using the Ali and Sumaya school as a reward for good behaviour or academic achievement! They enjoy using this online school so much that they will actually work towards it! They really do love it!

Benefits of Online Learning

Personally, I think the biggest benefit of using an online school like the Ali and Sumaya school, is that the kids enjoy it! Subhanullah, what a difference it makes to your child’s learning when they are having fun!

Ali and Sumaya school

When a child is self-motivated and interested in learning the material, they will retain that information more effectively than if you are forcing them to do their lessons. The Ali and Sumaya school is a fantastic way of nurturing a positive attitude towards studying Islam.

One of the biggest challenges we face as parents today, is the constant struggle we have with limiting screen time. This internal battle happens in almost all of us everyday. Many of us feel guilty at the amount of time our children spend watching TV, or playing on other electronic devices. What is wonderful about the Ali and Sumaya school, is that that guilt is gone! My children can go online, and do their lessons, and learn something really beneficial! Alhumdulillah!

The Ali and Sumaya school provides a halal alternative to the mainstream media. Furthermore, it is a safe and wholesome way for children to spend beneficial time online.

How do I enroll my children?

The creators of the Ali and Sumaya school only take in a limited number of students each term so that they really get to know those pupil’s needs, and assist them as much as possible.

If you would like to secure your child’s place for this terms intake, you can visit their website: AliandSumayaschool.com for more details.

Ali and Sumaya school

If you have any questions about the Ali and Sumaya school, and how we use it in our home, please leave them in the comments section below!

Peace and Love,

Homeschooling children

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Teach TAJWEED RULES To Your Children with Nursery Rhymes!

Teaching our children to recite the Quran correctly is so
important as Muslim parents. Tajweed Rulesthe rules of Quranic recitation, should
be done in young children, so that mistakes do not need to be corrected in
later years.
Teach Tajweed To Children with nursery rhymes

This post was written in partnership with Olive Tree Study Support.

However, we all know that trying to teach Tajweed to young children
can be challenging. Young children do not want to sit in formal lessons for too
long. The rules can seem complicated and the terminology over-whelming.

So how
can we teach young Muslim children the rules of Quranic recitation? Through
Nursery Rhymes or Nasheeds!!!

How to Teach Tajweed Rules

We all recognise how quickly our children retain the songs
they hear. Whether it’s from school, or from the TV, songs have a way of
sticking in the memory of children. Even now, I can remember the words to songs
I sang as a child.
Tahera Akther, the founder of Olive Tree Study Support, has
created a collection of rhyming songs to help teach your children the rules of
tajweed.
They are so much fun! Honestly, your kids are going to love
them!
The tracks are named Mysterious Makharij, Stretchy Madd
Tabeei, Best friend meem & noon (my personal favourite!), Jumpy Qalqalah and
Friendly Meem Saakina!
Despite having no music, only drums with child vocals, the
songs are ridiculously catchy! They are so easy to repeat and easy for children
to memorise.
In fact, they’re a little difficult to get out of your head!
I love the idea of using rhyme to help young kids remember
their Tajweed rules. They introduce your children to some of the basic rules of
Tajweed and, insha’Allah, spark a passion for the study of Quran in later
years.
We’ve been listening to these songs whenever there’s a quiet
moment in our homeschool day; whilst the kids are colouring or playing, or
whilst they’re having a snack.
It’s a great way for parents to teach their
children the rules of Quranic recitation, without them realising its happening!

They can listen and learn whilst….

Teach tajweed to children with nursery rhymes
Cooking,
Teach tajweed to children with nursery rhymes
Playing,
Teach tajweed to children with nursery rhymes
And eating lunch!

After listening to these songs, I would recommend them to
children aged 4- 9.

To get the most from the CD, they should have had
some exposure to the rules of tajweed previously, so they can understand some
of the terminology used.

They were perfect for my 4 and 6 year-old boys, and my
little baby girl seemed to enjoy dancing around to them too! …We all did!
This collection of Tajweed Nursery Rhyme songs is available to buy as a CD or MP3 download. If you’d like to listen to the songs, you can hear
a sample of the nasheeds on their website. Click HERE to listen!

It is such an honour to share these Tajweed nursery rhymes with you. I genuinely love them! They’re fun, upbeat and so catchy! I often find myself singing them when the kids are asleep!

The Fun way to Learn Tajweed Rules

These great quality children’s songs are a fantastic way to
introduce Tajweed to, and inculcate a love of the Quran in, young Muslim
children.

I would recommend this CD to all madrasas, as well as any parent
eager to encourage their children to recite correctly from an early age.

You can purchase your CD or MP3 Download HERE

How do you teach your chlidren tajweed?
Do you have any resources you love?
Do you use nasheeds to teach anything else?

Please let us all know in the comments below.Make sure you don’t miss the next blog post by Subscribing to my mailing list.

For a daily look into our homeschooling day follow me on InstagramTwitter or Facebook.

In need of your duaas.Peace and Love.
Homeschooling children