Quran Learning for Kids: How to teach Quran to children
One of the blessings of Allah Almighty is the gift of pure and innocent children bestowed on mankind. One of the ways to thank Allah for these blessings is to provide them with a proper education. One of the things that we have been advised regarding our children is to teach them the Holy Quran, because it encompasses everything necessary for human guidance. As Allah mentions in surah Al-Isra:
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَهْدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقْوَمُ
Surely this Quran guides to what is most upright (17:9)
Quran: The First Lesson of Life
Childhood is a period during which individuals learn most easily and what they learn is more enduring. The Prophet Muhammad (S) says: “The one who learns in youth, his education is like writing on stone, and the one who learns in adulthood, his education is like writing on water”
Furthermore, childhood and adolescence represent the stage of personality formation. During this phase, there exists a great deal of flexibility and impressionability, along with a readiness for change. As one gets older, their flexibility and adaptation reduces.
Imam Ali (AS) refers to this concept in his letter to his son, where he says: “A young heart and soul is like uncultivated land- It accepts every seed that is thrown into it. Therefore, I began to teach you, before your heart and soul hardens and your mind becomes occupied”
On the other hand, the goal of learning the Quran is not limited to mere recitation; rather, reading the Quran serves as a prelude to becoming familiar with its revelatory teachings and putting them into practice. This means aligning our actions, behavior and speech are with the Quranic criteria.
Therefore, if we wish for the new generation to easily learn the Quran and benefit from its sea of knowledge, the best approach is to introduce them to the Quran and teach them to read it as their first lesson of life, in the childhood.
Becoming Familiar with the Quran
The development of a child’s personality does not become Quranic at once, nor does it bears fruit immediately. It takes days, months and years of consistent care for this sapling which must be watered and nourished with Quranic knowledge and being exposed to the sunlight of the divine book in order to gradually grow, blossom and bear fruit. Consequently, both learning the Quran and developing a character in harmony with Quranic teachings requires familiarity with the Quran and regular recitation.
Family: The First Role Model for Children
Parents who wish their kids to become familiar with the Quran and begin to learn it could create a Quranic atmosphere in the house , by playing the sound of recitation of the Quran every day. There are some key points that families can consider to be effective in this regard:
Firstly, the family should be well-acquainted with the Quran, because they serve as the primary role models for children. When parents recite Quran, it encourages their children to do the same.
Secondly, attending Quranic gatherings in which the child senses no pressure or obligation. Encouraging children to participate in such gatherings, can motivate them to memorise the Quran.
Teaching Quran to kids
If we wish for our children to learn Quranic lessons by heart, along with encouragement and motivation, repetition and practice are also required. Through constant repetition and engaging in regular practice, the verses of the Quran will imprint on his mind and soul. It is essential to ensure that this continuous repetition and regular practice does not lead to boredom and fatigue for the child. To prevent this, parents need to be familiar with the principles of teaching Quran to children. Below, we have mentioned some effective points to consider:
- Teaching Quran Using Fun Activities
It is essential to remember that child’s play is their life and their life is their play. Therefore, teaching children should not be overly serious and rigid; instead, it should be accompanied with love and tailored to the child’s age. Teaching a child should be presented in a playful and entertaining manner, within a loving context. Strive to ensure that your child voluntarily and enthusiastically engages in Quranic learning. Assist your child in enjoying your presence during the teaching process. Incorporate the content of the lessons into daily activities through games and fun and offer encouragement after each success. When deciding how to motivate and encourage your child, you are the one who knows his interests better than anyone else.
Avoid a critical approach, minimize the use of commands, and avoid teaching when the child is tired or bored. Remember that the child is a winner in any case. Therefore, avoid putting pressure on the child or reacting negatively to their mistakes. The Holy Prophet (S) emphasized this by saying: “Teach and take it easy, and do not be strict; “Allah did not send me as a strict messenger Rather, He sent me as a gentle teacher”.
- Being Patient
Patience is crucial in the field of education. We will share some effective points that can help to increase patience. Firstly, pay attention to your child’s biological characteristics and interact and behave with them accordingly. Secondly, adjust your expectations from your child according to his understanding so that you do not have unreasonable demands and expectations that are beyond his ability. Finally, during teaching, put aside personal concerns and interact with your child with calmness and kindness.
Children have different characteristics, some of which may be due to heredity and beyond the child’s control. You should recognize that in these cases, patience and high determination will definitely work, and after some time, you will see progress in the educational process.
In the following, you can listen to the experience of a father of six who has taught his children the Quran, along with his explanations on the issues we should focus on during teaching Quran.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQoQmswCZyc
- Using Appropriate Recitation Voices in Teaching Quran to Children
An important principle in teaching the Quran and language to children is that the recitation voice should be appropriate and correct from the beginning. The age of two to five years is the peak of children’s verbal skills development. Therefore, if an inappropriate pattern is formed in the child’s mind, it becomes very difficult to correct it in the future.
For this reason, we have tried to use the best recitation voices in our courses. In the children’s courses of DarulQuran , the sound of reciting the verses with good quality is available to children online, and they can refer to it anytime they want.
- Using Short Phrases and Maintaining Continuity
In teaching Quran to children, it’s important to use short phrases that can be imprinted in their minds through repetition. Additionally, , in our courses, children are engaged in various activities, including watching videos, practicing audios of the verses, doing crafts and coloring and completing exercises. Rushing through Quran teaching is not recommended, however maintaining continuity is crucial.
Continuity is another fundamental aspect of our education principles. We understand that consistent, small efforts yield better results than sporadic larger efforts. Education and training are gradual processes, and just as Rome was not built in a day, educating a child also takes time. However, the beauty of it lies in the fact that the benefits of a good education will stay with the individual throughout their life. For this reason, with a determination and steady progress, allocate some time, even if its brief, on a daily basis according to your child’s capacity and continue their education. Monitor and assess their progress and don’t forget to provide encouragement along the way. - Creating Suitable Environmental Conditions
One of the most important and effective points in the education process is paying attention to nourishment, mental, physical and environmental conditions. Ensure that the child is neither hungry nor thirsty before learning, and avoid immediate teaching after meals. When the child is highly interested in playing and physical activity, is not the right time for teaching. Keep in mind that the training environment should not be excessively cold, hot or dark, as these conditions indirectly lead to lack of concentration in the child.
Furthermore, teaching is not effective when the child is sleepy and or has just woken up. If your child is experiencing anxiety, discomfort or fear, for any reason, it is not the appropriate time for teaching. Pressuring the child excessively at this time is counterproductive. Training should take place in a suitable, tension-free and quiet environment. - Reinforcing Conceptual Understanding in Children
The development of understanding concepts in children occurs gradually. Children often imitate many words without comprehending their meanings. However, through repetition and continuity, they gradually discover the meanings of these words. In this process, the child’s interest plays a significant role because they naturally seek to discover concepts based on their interests. Planning is also crucial. You can introduce new words and their meanings in an entertaining manner during outdoor activities.
- Encouraging at the Conclusion of Each Stage of Teaching the Quran to Children
One of the effective methods in education is to express satisfaction and encouragement at the end of each stage of education. Therefore, at the conclusion of each Surah, it is beneficial to have a small celebration. Parents can consider buying a gift. The size of the gift is not significant, ; what matters is that the child realizes the significance of his achievement and the special attention from their parents This can help the child take pleasure in completing the Surah and find motivation and enthusiasm to continue learning.
Special Rewards for Teaching the Quran to Children
There have been many narrations from the Prophet (S) indicating that Allah has a special favor for fathers and mothers on the Day of Judgment who teach the Quran to their children.
- Crowning of Fathers and Mothers
Sa’d ibn Mu’adh reported, “I heard the Messenger of Allah (S) say: If a man teaches his child the Quran, Allah will grant the child’s parents a crown on the Day of Judgment and clothe with two heavenly garments, unlike any seen by people” - Shining Like a Star
The Prophet (S) said: “A house in which the Quran is recited frequently will be blessed, and its inhabitants will be granted prosperity and it will shine for the Ahlul Jannah just like the stars of the sky shine for the people on earth” - Granting Heavenly Clothes
The Prophet (S) has also said: “Whoever kisses his child, Allah Almighty will reward him, and whoever brings joy to his child, Allah will bring joy to him on the Day of Judgment, and whoever teaches the Quran to his child, his parents will be summoned on the Day of Judgment and adorned with two heavenly garments, whose light will illuminate the faces of Ahlul Jannah”
In conclusion, teaching Quran to children is essential for their Islamic education as it helps them develop spiritually, morally, intellectually, and linguistically. It provides them with a strong foundation in their faith and empowers them to lead a righteous life in accordance with the teachings of Islam.
This teaching of the Quran can be done directly by the parents while keeping the points mentioned in this article in mind. Alternatively, parents can engage a Quran teacher, or for added convenience, they can enroll their kids in online Quran teaching courses. At DarulQuran academy, we have endeavored to provide content suitable for children in the form of stories, entertainment and crafts.
By employing efficient and proven methods in teaching children and with the collaborating with trained instructors, we strive to create a joyful and engaging environment in which your child will learn the Quran with genuine interest and enthusiasm.
For more information, you can visit the website of DarulQuran Academy:
https://darulquran.co.uk/courses/sweet-quran-for-kids/
