Basic Salat Sequencing Cards for Toddlers

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

The salat (and wudhu) sequencing cards from Learning Roots are excellent and beautifully crafted masha'Allaah. For children three years and older these cards are a wonderful way to teach the sequence of the salat (and wudhu).  

But as many parents will tell you, many older infants and toddlers begin to show an interest in praying with their parents before they turn three. Admittedly, they often exit the salat quite early and perhaps skip a few steps *smile* but they seem to really put their heart into it (especially the sujood masha'Allaah!). 

I thought for the little ones (under threes), we certainly want to encourage this early interest in the salat. This interest is also a great way to include a bit of math and cognitive work for them by letting them work on simplified salat sequencing cards. With simple language to help them understand ordinal words (first, next and last) we can teach them the basic sequence of a rakat of salat insha'Allaah. The cards can also be used with infants as well. If you print them in black and white you can show each card to the infant one at a time and simply name the position of salat (i.e. Qiyam, Ruku, etc.).

I made four large cards (I did not make the pictures on the cards) showing the four basic steps in a rakat and an answer key for the child(ren) to self-correct if needed.  

 Using very simple language you present the activity to the child in the following manner insha'Allaah:

1). Ask the child to bring a work mat to the area you'd like to work in insha'Allaah.


2). Bring the tray containing the sequencing cards and answer key sheet to the work mat. 


3). Sit on the child's right hand side. Explain that together, you will learn how to make salat insha'Allaah. Take out the cards and place them on the mat. Make sure the cards are not in the correct sequential order. 


4). Show the child the card that shows the first step in the salat and explain, using as few words as possible, what we do during this step and when we do this step (i.e. this is the qiyam. This is the first step we do in the salat. We stand like this and then make the takbir -  i.e. say "Allaahu Akbar"). 


5). Place the card in the first spot in the upper right hand side of the work mat, starting from the child's right hand side.


6). Complete each card this way, moving from right to left, until you have shown and very briefly explained all four cards and they are on the mat in the correct order. Take out the answer key sheet and set it underneath the cards and show the child how you check to make sure you have put each card in the correct order (i.e. place the key under the cards and point to the first card and then point to the first position on the key. Alternately, you can even take the each card and place it next to the first, second, third, etc. positions on the key to compare them).


7). Mix the cards up and invite the child to try by himself or herself insha'Allaah. When the child is done, invite them to check (and self-correct if needed) their answers against the answer key. When the child gains proficiency, you can add cards (i.e. another qiyam, ruku, etc.) to show more steps of the salat as it progresses.

  Here the sequence of cards was not done properly.

 Provide the answer key and allow the child to compare and self-correct insha'Allaah.

Self-corrected activity

Leave this activity out on a low shelf for the child to access and play with as often as he/she would like insha'Allaah.

I printed the cards on cardstock and then mounted them onto poster board just to make sure they can withstand frequent handling insha'Allaah. I would even suggest that after those two steps, the cards be laminated if possible, especially if they will be used in a classroom insha'Allaah. 

Here are the cards pictured and the key. You can download the same cards in black and white here and the black and white answer sheet here insha'Allaah.

Enjoy insha'Allaah!