preparing your kids for ramadan - IQRA` International Educational

8Great Ways
PREPARING YOUR KIDS
FOR RAMADAN
Brought to you
by
IQRA’
Foundation
Help your little ones build a love
and appreciation for the most
special time of year
Ramadan is more than just a
month of fasting…..
IT IS A GIFT FROM ALLAH (SWT)
Reading is Fundamental
 Educate your children about
Ramadan based on their age
 Read books, articles, and hadith
related to Ramadan
 Discuss as a family:
 Benefits of Ramadan
 Expectations of a person who fasts –
The 5 S’s of Ramadan
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What children
should learn
about
Ramadan
WHAT ARE THE 5 S’ S?
Sabr
(Patience)
Salah
(Prayer)
Sadaqah
(Charity)
Shukur
(Gratitude)
Salam
(Peace)
SUGGESTED READING
Books
available on
iqra.org
Build Interest with
Ramadan Crafts
Have your children:
 Decorate your home with lights and
homemade lanterns
 Color Ramadan pictures and hang on the
fridge
 Write out the dua’s for starting and ending a
fast and place in festive picture frames
 Create a Ramadan Advent Calendar to count
down the days to Ramadan
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Decorations
available on
iqra.org
SAMPLE CRAFT IDEAS
 Visit iqrafoundation.com
for craft instructions
 Or search online for Ramadan
Crafts
Plan Ramadan Meals
in Advance
 Healthy Start:
Summer time fasting includes long days
and hot weather so it’s important to learn
what foods keeps the body nourished and
hydrated for long periods of time
 Sunnah Smart:
Teach your kids about the foods Rasulullah
(s) used to eat. Learn about the benefits
of his diet.
 Meal Appeal:
Get kids excited about the special foods of
Ramadan. Try out new recipes before
fasting begins.
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RAMADAN RECIPES
Read Yvonne Maffei’s Ramadan
Cook Book to learn fun and healthy
recipes for Sahoor and Iftar
Have your kids look up recipes online and plan an Iftar
for the family.
- Allow older children to be responsible for the entire
meal
- Have little ones help in the kitchen or make a
centerpiece for the table
RaMadAn GiFTs
 Have children share their excitement for the
blessed month by making gifts for
grandparents, neighbors, and friends
 Gifts being made for friends unfamiliar with
Ramadan should be paired with a basic
explanation of Ramadan’s significance.
Gift Ideas:
 Bake cakes or cookies and package in a box
with ribbon
 Make festive greeting cards – include a
hadith or ayah about Ramadan. Jazz up the
cards with glitter, ribbon, or a pop -up
message inside
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SAMPLE GIFT IDEAS
Pre Ramadan Goals
 Make Ramadan goals in
advance!
 It is important to use
Ramadan as a time to improve
ourselves. New goals should
be planned ahead of time so
that they can be executed
from the first day of Ramadan
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Work with your kids to create a
Goal Chart
or Good Deed Chart
SAMPLE GOAL
CHART
Practice Makes
Perfect
Practice behaviors for Ramadan…
Turn off T.V. and video games for 30
min. and replace this time with an
Islamic story or a trip to the Masjid
for prayer in Jamah
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A Giving Muslim
Teach your kids the importance of giving.
Don’t wait until Ramadan starts to plan
charitable activities – PLAN AHEAD!
As a family decide which organization you
would like to work with during Ramadan
Charity Ideas:
• Knit blankets for babies in need
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Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food pantry
Collect toys and school supplies for kids in need
Beautify a Masjid
Read books to children in the hospital
Visit a nursing home and spend time with the elderly
Provide teddy bears, pajamas and books to orphans
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CHARIT Y EVENT
If you decide to volunteer with a special group take time to
prepare.
 Know the date, time, and location of the chosen charity
 Talk to a volunteer coordinator ahead of time about your
responsibilities and ask about any special instructions
 Find out if the charity chosen is suitable
for young children
 Encourage friends and family to participate
Reward System
Establish positive behavior by rewarding children
for going above and beyond the expected – “Catch
them being good”
Setting Up a Reward System:
• Rewards can be big or small depending on the
behavior being recognized and the age of a
child
• Rewards should be limited. For example a child
does not need a prize every time she prays
salah or reads quran.
•However, a child that doesn’t miss a single salah in an
entire month or finishes the Qur’an during Ramadan
should be acknowledged
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Reward System
When establishing rewards for outstanding Muslim behavior Children should also be reminded the following:
• The best rewards come from Allah (swt)
• A person that does good deeds should do so for the sake of
Allah (swt) and not expect something in return from others
• A person should do good deeds in secret and not show off
Suggested Rewards
Point cards or Tokens
exchanged for a prize after a
certain number is collected
A coupon to get out of
household chores
Special dinner / dessert
Small celebration or party
A special family outing
A special outing with friends
Monetary gift
Extra computer time / outside
play
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Here’s what we learned:
1
• Educate your kids about Ramadan
2
• Build excitement with crafts and decorations
3
• Plan Ramadan meals ahead of time
4
• Share the joy of Ramadan with gifts for friends
5
• Make goals for Ramadan
6
• Practice replacing t.v. with an Islamic activity
7
• Make plans to volunteer in advance
8
• Establish a reward system for outstanding behavior
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