Prayer Rug Magnets

Assalamu alaikum,

This project is easy, fun, fast and cute masha'Allah! The idea is a modified craft project from the book, Crafts to make in the Fall by Kathy Ross. While most of the things in the book are not appropriate for Muslim children (i.e. non-Islamic holidays, etc.), some of the ideas are easily modified to become Islamic crafts.

This one for example, was a craft for making a flag. Well, the dimensions were similar to...a prayer rug! So I just used the same materials and made a prayer rug instead. Now, I'm no artist so don't laugh to long and hard at my example (below - and for some reason mine looks way better on the fridge than it does in this picture!...lol) but your little ones will undoubtedly make one worthy of being on the fridge insha'Allah.

Materials needed:

• 15 toothpicks or Popsicle sticks cut in half


• white glue


• plastic lid for drying


• scissors


• strip of sticky-backed magnet


• strips of construction paper (kids chose the colour insha'Allah)


• markers or non-toxic paint


• paint brushes

Directions:

1. If your child wants the fringe of the prayer rug to have a colour, use a permanent marker to colour the sticks (toothpicks or Popsicle sticks) insha'Allah.


2. In advance, have your child(ren) cut out a rectangle of construction paper that is the same size - width wise - of the toothpicks/Popsicle sticks when glued together (I arranged all of the toothpicks first without gluing them and just did an approximate measure of the width).


3. Have the child draw/paint/colour the design they want on their prayer rug insha'Allah.


4. Put the toothpicks (or Popsicle sticks) on the plastic lid. Cover them with a layer of glue to hold them together but don't flood the toothpicks if you colour them because this will cause the marker to run.


5. When all toothpicks/Popsicle sticks are arranged properly gently put the construction paper on top of the toothpicks/Popsicle sticks insha'Allah. Press gently.


6. When the toothpicks/Popsicle sticks dry (took about 15-20 minutes), glue a small rectangle of sticky back magnet on the back of the prayer rug.


7. Stick it on the fridge insha'Allah!

Front

Back

Allah Created... - Nature Walk Activity

Assalamu alaikum,

This activity is not strictly a craft activity but subhana'Allah, the weather has been so nice I couldn't help myself. The activity is called, "Allah Created... - Nature Walk" and goes right along with all of the gorgeous weather Allah has so kindly blessed us with alhamdulillah.

This activity is designed for toddles/twos ages 1-3. Nature walks are quite commonly used to introduce/acquaint children with
the natural world.

What this activity aims to do is connect Allah to the child's understanding of what he/she observes while on a nature walk. The activity also allows the child to contribute his/her own ideas about how we can respect, preserve and respect the Earth insha'Allah.

There are also opportunities for artistic expression as children are invited to colour and add texture to their work insha'Allah.

NOTE: Toddlers & Twos cannot keep pace with an adult (usually) and they tire more quickly. Allow your child(ren) to take you for the nature walk. This means let them set the pace and you follow insha'Allah. Doing this you'll find that the child (and you) will enjoy the walk and tire less quickly insha'Allah.

The directions accompany the activity and I hope your children enjoy it insha'Allah!

Addendum to the directions insha'Allah: In the directions I indicate that you should not tell the child the name of the objects in the pictures. The reason behind this is that the pictures are there to help the child independently identify the objects as they are found in nature insha'Allah. However, you may (and it is encouraged) to tell the child the names of the objects in the pictures as (or after) the child(ren) find the objects during the nature walk insha'Allah. Name the objects quietly and try to keep the atmosphere of the nature walk relatively quiet as this is a sensory experience. Adding too much auditory input tends to distract the child from observation and appreciation.

"Allah Created... - Nature Walk"

*Lake picture creative commons copyright by RTPeat

Fallen behind but hope to catch up insha'Allah

Assalamu alaikum,

Subhana'Allah, I've gotten behind on updating the blog but insha'Allah, I'll have a chance this upcoming week to post a craft idea that is cute for toddlers and twos insha'Allah. Do check back insha'Allah as I hope to have it posted by mid-week insha'Allah.

Jazakum Allahu Khayran

Passage of Time Puzzles

Assalamu alaikum,

This might be the last of puzzles for a while insha'Allah. I'm on to crafts! insha'Allah. I picked up a pretty nice craft book from the library and I'm going to try some things out insha'Allah. If I see anything that is suitable for infants/toddlers/twos, I'll be sure to share with you insha'Allah.

On to our last puzzle insha'Allah. This puzzle, with its accompanying activity worksheet, is designed to introduce toddlers & twos to the concept of the passage of time in a fun, non-intimidating manner insha'Allah. The directions accompany the puzzle and the worksheet is quite simple. As you talk about the types of things your family does around the time of day that each of the salawaat occurs, have the child draw a picture representing that activity insha'Allah. I've put one picture in each box as an example and your child(ren) can colour those pictures insha'Allah.

The puzzles themselves have the Control of Error that I really like to use. Control of Error is usually built into certain activities and it allows the child to self-correct without needing to depend upon an adult. This gives the child a sense of accomplishment and self-worth. It is meant to build a sense of "I did it myself alhamdulillah" and that's a good thing. Toddlers and twos are at a stage when they are discovering independence and they treasure the ability to do things on their own. Control of Error supports that need by setting the child up for success insha'Allah. They may not get it right the first time but no problem insha'Allah, over time they will notice the cues that are in the activity to help them and 'viola!' one day they get it insha'Allah. A side note: If you notice the child getting frustrated or they ask for help - help. If they don't try on their own but go immediately to asking for your help, gently encourage the child to try it first on their own and then stay nearby as an emotional anchor insha'Allah.

Now, finally, what is the control of error in these puzzles? The picture that shows what the sky looks like when each salat comes in is also on the word matching part of the puzzle. I hope that made sense insha'Allah. When you open the file, insha'Allah, you'll see what I mean.

I hope your child(ren) enjoy and benefit from the puzzles insha'Allah.

Salat Time Puzzles

Salat Time Puzzles Activity Worksheet

Hadith Vocabulary Colouring Book # 6 (Final Book)

Assalamu alaikum,

Here is the 6th, and final, Let's Learn Hadith Colouring book. Insha'Allah, you've found the others fun and beneficial. Later this week, I will upload a puzzle with an activity sheet that introduces toddlers to the concept of the passage of time insha'Allah. Check back insha'Allah. In the meantime, here is the last of the hadith colouring books. Enjoy insha'Allah!

Let's Learn Hadith Colouring Book # 6

Hadith Vocabulary Colouring Book # 5

Assalamu Alaikum,

Here is Book # 5 of the 'Let's Learn Hadith' colouring book series. In a few days I will upload book # 6 (the final book in the series that I was able to find alhamdulillah) so check back insha'Allah.

Let's Learn Hadith Colouring Book # 5

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Hadith Vocabulary Colouring Book # 4

Assalamu Alaikum,

Here is Book 4 of the 'Let's Learn Hadith' colouring book series. Alhamdulillah, I was able to find Books 5 and 6 but unfortunately, still no books 2 & 3. Next week insha'allah, I'll upload books 5 and 6, so check back for those insha'Allah.

Maybe, I'll design some games to be used with these colouring books insha'Allah. We'll see insha'Allah. Enjoy insha'Allah!

Let's Learn Hadith Colouring Book # 4

Hadith Vocabulary Colouring Book # 1

Assalamu alaikum,

This is a cute colouring book that helps children learn the words they will later encounter when studying the ahadith insha'Allah. For toddlers and twos, it's a great way to help build vocabulary insha'Allah. This is the first book and insha'Allah I will upload Book 4 (I couldn't locate books 2 and 3) tomorrow insha'Allah. Enjoy insha'Allah!

Let's Learn the Hadith Colouring Book 1