We recently asked our followers on Instagram to share some of the ways they have managed to encourage their young children to fall in love with Salah. These are a selection of their top tips!
1. Let your children see you praying.
Modelling is one of the most effective ways of encouraging new habits. If children see those they look up to doing something, they will be more inclined to follow suit.
2. Pray with your children.
Whether at the Mosque or together at home, make Salah a communal activity and use it as a way to bond with your children and spend time together. Encourage rather than force your children to get involved.
3. Have conversations about the reward for praying.
Lead with love rather than fear and speak about the rewards of praying more than the punishments of not. As the Prophet (pbuh) said, “Make things easy and do not make things difficult. Give glad tidings and do not repel people” (Bukhari).
4. Be mindful of the language you use when talking about Salah.
Instead of speaking about ‘having to pray’; speak about ‘wanting to pray’ and show your children that it is something to look forward to and be excited about.
5. Turn Salah into a special event.
Whether you encourage your children to reimagine Salah as an adventure on a flying carpet or a chance to converse with Allah, make each prayer a special event.
6. Encourage your children with rewards.
Understand what motivates your children as no two children are the same. It could be gifts, positive encouragement from you, quality time, a helping hand or even a hug. Positive reinforcement helps children associate Salah with good memories and reminds them that Salah is their key to Jannah which is the ultimate reward to work towards.
7. Let your children build consistency with one Salah before adding another.
Slow and consistent is better when building new habits. Work at the pace of your children so that they do not feel over-burdened.
8. Give your children their own special prayer mat / scarf / hat.
Make the purchasing/choosing of your children’s own prayer mats/scarves/hats a big occasion and allow them to forge strong bonds with these items. Give them the responsibility of taking care of them so that they feel a sense of pride and belonging.
9. Assign Salah related responsibilities to your children.
Most children love to be given leadership roles. Assign responsibilities to your children, whether that is performing the Adhan, laying out the prayer mats or calling the family together. Make them feel an integral part of the process of praying.
10. Use the time after Salah to read a story together.
Whilst you have the family together, enjoy a story time session where your children can choose stories they want to hear or read. Bring the stories to life in a fun and enjoyable way, leaving your children with wonderful Salah related memories.
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Bring these tips to life: preorder our new Salah Activity Book.