Countdown for the holy month of Ramadan has already begun in the hearts of millions of Muslims around the world. Just a few days more and the month of infinite blessings will be amongst us. It’s time we prepare ourselves for this auspicious occasion. While doing so we might also want to prepare the next generation, our kids, for welcoming this month of blessings, forgiveness and endless rewards from Allah Almighty.
Every year when Ramadan sets in, there are children who will be fasting for the first time in their life. It’s an experience they’re eager and excited to have; at the same time they may feel worried or confused as well. Hence, the responsibility shoulders on the parents of the children to assist and assure them, to be with them the whole Ramadan and thus ensure an awesome experience of the very first fast in Ramadan.
Muslim parents whose kids are going to start fasting in the coming Ramadan should have some plans of their own on how to make the first fast of their child special and give them a good experience of Ramadan.
Here are some tips that may come in handy:
Teach them about Ramadan
Let your kids know about Ramadan. Start talking about Ramadan with them 2/3 weeks prior to its arrival. Let them know its importance, the significance it holds in the history of Islam, the rewards of fasting, the rewards of prayers and charity while fasting. Make them understand that fasting is only for Allah and He will personally reward those who fast.
Make it interesting
Even for adults fasting is a “not so easy” task. So more than likely, it won’t be all that easy on kids either, especially in their initial days of fasting. A good way to make the fasting easier for them is to make it interesting. Compete with them in doing good deeds. Play some “Ahievement unlocked” type of games, such as how many ayah of the holy Qur’an they’ve recited that day, or how many raka’at of optional salah they’ve prayed, or how much sadaqah they’ve given to the poor, or who can rise for suhoor first. Let them win. Give rewards for their achievements. At the same time make them understand that everlasting rewards are waiting for them to be taken from the Hands of Allah (subhanahu wa ta aala).
Involve them
Don’t just make them follow the plan you formulated. Involve them in formulating one. Children would prefer to follow their own plans rather than imposed ones. If they think that they themselves have made a wonderful plan for the coming Ramadan, their motivation to make that plan a success will be greater.
Create an imagery
Children have very vivid imaginations. They like to depict thoughts and ideas inside their mind in their own ways. So instead of simply telling them what to do and what not to, you can tell them stories either directly from the hadiths of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) or imaginary stories related to the teachings of the hadiths. You can inspire them to draw pictures about good deeds done in Ramadan and bad deeds avoided in addition to their rewards. The significance of Ramadan can easily be established deep into their hearts through stories, nasheeds and pictures.
Take children to the mosque
Take your children to the mosque. Praying salah in congregation develops a feeling of spirituality. It brings the kids closer to Islam. Besides, they’ll find other children of their age there, talk with them, share their experience with each other and thus make new friends in Islam. Inspire them to compete but remind them not to show off. You can even invite these newly made friends over to your place someday for iftar.
Involve them in meal preparations
Involve them in planning what to cook for suhoor and iftar. Make them take part. Give them small and easy tasks and let them watch while you prepare the foods. This will give them a festive vibe. Besides it will ensure an important lesson is learnt, a lesson about helping one’s parents in their daily activities.
Involve them in charity
Another message that you as Muslim parents can do in order to keep your first time fasting children stay motivated and further enjoy the essence of Ramadan is to involve them in charity. When you give some money to the children to give to some poor person, or have your children give food to the people who are hungry, the children actually feel good about and it motivates them towards doing better during Ramadan. Moreover, when children give charity they actually get to know about human feelings; when they bring a smile on the face of another person, it’s a feeling to be cherished. Therefore, this practice, besides making their Ramadan better also helps them in becoming a better Muslim after Ramadan as well.
Encourage Ramadan journals
Another thing that Muslim parents can do to make the fast interesting and fun for children is to recommend them to keep a Ramadan journal in which they record their daily experiences and feelings regarding fasting. This way children will have a platform on which they can express their feelings, desires and experiences. Besides serving as a punching bag, the journal can also help children revive their memories about their fast when they will read it at the end of Ramadan or the next year.
Encourage them in prayers and learning the Qur’an
Throughout the month of Ramadan the environment is peaceful and religious, which opens many opportunities for Muslims to completely learn Islam. Regarding your kids, you can gradually make them understand that Ramadan is not just about abstaining from foods and drinks, it’s so much more than that. You should encourage your kids to pray their salah regularly and start teaching them the holy Qur’an. Replace the bedtime stories with the small surah(s) and the story behind them. It will grow interest in your kid’s mind about learning and understanding the Qur’an.
Ensure they are getting enough rest
Ensure enough rest for them, but make sure they don’t end up sleeping all day! It would make the fast boring and they’ll gradually lose interest over it. Do not give them tasks that require much physical toil. Remember, a good night’s sleep is essential in the proper development and growth of a child.
Do not push
Encourage and inspire your kids in fasting, but do not push them too hard. If the fasting becomes too hard for them, make them break it. It’s not wise to impose them burdens they can’t take.Go easy on them since it’s just their first time. Inspire them to perform taraweeh and tahajjud but don’t impose it on them. Feed non-fasting kids in a separate room away from fasting kids. Let them eat according to their need both during iftar and suhoor. Try not to overdo it with their food as well, overeating is not at all encouraged in our deen. Sometimes they might not be happy with the food. Gently counsel them with love. Promise to make food items they like the next day and keep your promise. Ensure that they’ve had enough water.
Make plans for Eid together
It’s a very good way to make Ramadan interesting. Try to make plans for the upcoming Eid with your child. Involve them in shopping for the Eid day, preparing different food items and giving Zakat-ul-Fitr to the poor. Try to donate or purchase clothes for the needy kids around you and have your child(ren) help in the distributing process. Make plans for decorating the house together. Take their ideas. This would make their Ramadan and Eid very joyous and effective at the same time. Last but not the least, feel free to add or modify any of these tips according to your child’s special need. The essence is, as a parent of a first time fasting child, you must have some plans and preparations. It will help in making your and their Ramadan special and memorable. I wish your kids a happy Ramadan.
