Back to School: "Homeschooling" infants and young toddlers - Where to begin?

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Recently, several sisters have asked about how to homeschool infants and young toddlers. More specifically, where do you start and how do you know what activities to do with your young child.  

The guidelines you will find in this post are by no means hard and fast rules but are merely suggestions.

With infants and young toddlers education begins from day 1. What does this "education" look like? Starting with infants, it may look like this:

• Observing the sunnah of welcoming the new born child
• From day one establish a time/place that you read Quran aloud to your child (short suwar - pl. of surah) - or whatever you and baby are comfortable with. Be aware of baby's tired times and more active times and pick a time when he/she is alert. Try to make this Quran reading time occur around the same time every single day insha'Allaah but do your reading with baby when he/she is not occupied with another task. 
• From day one (birth) read the athkar to your child. You can find them here in Arabic, in English here and here in several other languages.
• When you pray, place your child in a spot were he/she can see and/or hear the salat.
• Talk to and with your infant/toddler frequently. Praise Allaah frequently so that your child hears this (i.e. Subhana'Allaah, Alhamdulillaah, Allaahu Akbar).  
• Name objects in his/her environment. Pick him/her up or when he/she is near you, tell your child what you are doing. Explain the steps you will do to complete the task you are engaged in (i.e. I am going to bake some cookies insha'Allaah. First I will need a large bowl to mix all of the ingredients. Next, I will assemble the ingredients. I will need flour, eggs, sugar, milk. etc.). 
• Be familiar with the milestones for your child's age group and be familiar with what children at his/her age are typically able to do by the Permission of Allaah. This will greatly assist you when deciding on what you want to teach your child and when (i.e. at what stage).
• Decide upon what skills you would like your child to learn and begin with a long range plan.
• Once decided upon, draft weekly plans that briefly outline the type of activities you wish to complete with your infant. The activities may be short in duration and as your child's concentration and ability to focus develops you will notice the duration of the activities may increase. But do not be surprised if your infant focuses on an object for far longer than you expect and when/if this happens, do not break the infant's concentration and do not interrupt. Allow the infant to focus for as long as he/she wishes.

Here is a sample of what an infants weekly plan might look like.

Click on the image for a larger view insha'Allaah

As you can see, the hours between each activity allow for baby's nap, feeding, and bath times. Your goal is to be as consistent as possible and to decide what you would like to do with your child, when you would like to do it and to verify that the activity is within your child's developmental capabilities insha'Allaah. And a plan such as the example above does not need to be typed out. Something written and placed on the refrigerator will do the job just as well insha'Allaah.

Here is an example of the typical development of children birth to 12 months old (keep in mind that children develop at different rates):
  

BY FOUR MONTHS
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT weight: 10-18 pounds length: 23-27 inches sleeps about 6 hours before waking during the night averages 14-17 hours of sleep daily lifts head and chest when lying on stomach holds both eyes in a fixed position follows a moving object or person with eyes grasps rattle or finger wiggles and kicks with arms and legs rolls over (stomach to back) sits with support	SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT cries (with tears) to communicate pain, fear, discomfort, or loneliness babbles or coos loves to be touched and held close responds to a shaking rattle or bell returns a smile responds to peak-a-boo games
	INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT explores objects with mouth plays with fingers, hands, toes reacts to sound of voice, rattle, bell turns head toward bright colors and lights recognizes bottle or breast
BY EIGHT MONTHS
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT weight: 14-23 pounds length: 25-30 inches first teeth begin to appear drools, mouths and chews on objects needs at least 3-4 feedings per day reaches for cup or spoon when being fed drinks from a cup with help enjoys some finely-chopped solid foods closes mouth firmly or turns head when no longer hungry may sleep 11-13 hours at night although this varies greatly needs 2-3 naps during the day develops a rhythm for feeding, eliminating, sleeping, and being awake true eye color is established rolls from back to stomach and stomach to back sits alone without support and holds head erect raises up on arms and knees into crawling position; rocks back and forth, but may not move forward uses finger and thumb to pick up an object transfers objects from one hand to the other hair growth begins to cover head	INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT cries in different ways to say he is hurt, wet, hungry, or lonely makes noises to voice displeasure or satisfaction recognizes and looks for familiar voices and sounds learns by using senses like smell, taste, touch, sight, hearing focuses eyes on small objects and reaches for them looks for ball rolled out of sight searches for toys hidden under a blanket, basket, or container explores objects by touching, shaking, banging, and mouthing babbles expressively as if talking enjoys dropping objects over edge of chair or crib
	SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT responds to own name shows fear of falling off high places such as table or stairs spends a great deal of time watching and observing responds differently to strangers and family members imitates sounds, actions, and facial expressions made by others shows distress if toy is taken away squeals, laughs, babbles, smiles in response likes to be tickled and touched smiles at own reflection in mirror raises arms as a sign to be held recognizes family member names responds to distress of others by showing distress or crying shows mild to severe anxiety at separation from parent
BY 12 MONTHS
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT weight: 17-27 pounds length: 27-32 inches sleeps 11-13 hours at night some babies will stop taking a morning nap; others will continue both morning and afternoon naps begins to refuse bottle or weans self from breast during day needs 3 meals a day with 2 snacks in between enjoys drinking from a cup begins to eat finger foods continues to explore everything by mouth enjoys opening and closing cabinet doors crawls well pulls self to a standing position stands alone holding onto furniture for support walks holding onto furniture or with adult help	INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT says first word says da-da and ma-ma or equivalent bounces      interested in picture books pays attention to conversations claps hands, waves bye, if prompted likes to place objects inside one another
	SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT imitates adult actions such as drinking from a cup, talking on phone responds to name likes to watch self in mirror expresses fear or anxiety toward strangers wants caregiver or parent to be in constant sight offers toys or objects to others but expects them to be returned may become attached to a favorite toy or blanket pushes away something he does not want

  IDEAS FOR CAREGIVERS

• Help infants develop a sense of trust and security by responding to their cries. Feeling secure encourages infants to try new things. Be consistent so that they will know what to expect.
  
• Place babies in new places and new positions so that they can see you and others from different angles.
  
• Hold and cuddle infants when feeding them. Even infants who hold their own bottle need to be held. Being held and cuddled frequently is
  extremely important in the development of baby's sense of self-worth and security. Holding and cuddling a baby is also a great stress releaser
  for an adult. Do not prop infants drinking from a bottle as it may cause choking.
  
• Respect a baby's natural schedule. Most babies will settle into a regular routine for eating, sleeping, and soiling their diapers, but the
  schedule will vary depending on the baby. Some babies need to eat more frequently than some others. Some will sleep more and take longer naps.
  
• Baby-proof everything! Store toxic substances such as dishwasher detergent, make-up, paint, or medicine up high. Put safety latches on
  cabinets and covers on electrical outlets. Lower crib mattresses so that older infants can't fall over the rail. Cover sharp corners of tables or shelves that infants might bump into.
  
• Expose babies to bright colors and a variety of objects to look at. Pictures, moving objects, brightly colored or contrasting color toys attract infants.
        
• Provide interesting objects for infants to feel, touch, mouth, and explore. Square nylon scarves, cold metal bowls, plastic measuring cups,
  large wooden spoons, and wet washcloths are favorite household toys. Keep easy-to-swallow objects out of infant's reach. Babies should not be
  allowed to play with anything smaller than a half dollar (about 1-1/4 inch).
  
• Provide opportunities for infants to smell different smells. Lemon, vanilla, and apple juice are wonderful kitchen smells. Babies also enjoy smelling tree bark, dirt, grass, and other natural things.
  
• Expose older babies to a variety of tastes and temperatures in food. Offer cold sherbet, warm oatmeal, mashed peaches, and chopped cooked carrots.
  
• Help babies develop a sense of movement and balance by gently bouncing, swaying, swooping, and swinging with them.
  
• Talk to infants. Face infants when talking to them so they can see you and smile with you. Talk about what you are doing, familiar objects, or
  people. You may even want to babble back or echo sounds your baby makes much as you would in a regular conversation. Even though an infant cannot understand everything you say, he will be learning many words that will form the basis for language later on.
  
• Read to infants. Babies enjoy cuddling on a caregiver's lap, looking at colorful picture books, and hearing the rhythm of their voice. With
  time they begin to understand that words have meaning and can be used to identify objects.
  
• Encourage older infants to feed themselves by offering pieces of banana and soft bread sticks. Give babies a spoon with some mashed
  potatoes or other sticky food, and let them practice eating with a spoon. Yes, it will be messy! Be patient. Learning this skill takes lots of practice.
  
• Play peek-a-boo. Hide your face behind a blanket and then peek out at the baby. Older babies will learn to do this themselves and will enjoy this game for a long time.
  
• Give babies the freedom to move around. Young infants enjoy being on their backs so that they can kick, wiggle, and look around. Older
  infants need space and time to practice crawling, creeping, pulling up, and walking. Spending too much time in a walker, playpen, or infant swing may inhibit the development of these important skills.
  
• Stay with infants when someone new is around. Encourage strangers to approach slowly. Introduce an infant by name, and let him explore someone new in the safety of your presence.

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Oesterreich, L. (1995). Ages & stages - newborn to 1 year. In L. Oesterreich, B. Holt, & S. Karas, Iowa family child care handbook [Pm 1541] (pp. 192-196). Ames, IA: Iowa State University Extension.

Insha'Allaah, the next email will touch upon homeschooling infants and young toddlers that are between 6 and 15 months old or if there is somethings else that you had hoped to be covered in this post, please leave a comment and if possible, this post will be updated or another supplementary post will be added insha'Allaah. 

Baby Reads Quran in Ramadan (Book)

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

This is another book in the "Baby in Ramadan" Series *smile*. One last post before Ramadan insha'Allaah...

 

After listening to a small, short poem, this little book introduces baby to some of the ayaat in the Quran. Mother and Father then have the opportunity to decide which suwar (pl. of surah) they would like to read with baby during Ramadan and check them off on the checklist provided in the book. This book is intended to be a gentle read aloud that introduces baby to the beauty of the Quran and what benefits it has thus teaching baby that a Muslim's only source of sound knowledge and guidance is found in the Quran and Sunnah.

Download Baby Reads Quran in Ramadan here insha'Allaah

Enjoy insha'Allaah!

Baby Counts Dates in Ramadan (Book)

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Here is a little Ramadan counting book for babies. 

Front and Back Covers

A small book for introducing baby to numbers during Ramadan insha'Allaah. The numbers 1-5 are covered and the last page of the book gives baby an opportunity to see the dates graphed 1-5 in descending order. 

A small way to include baby in this Blessed Month. 

Download "Baby Counts Dates in Ramadan" here insha'Allaah

Enjoy insha'Allaah!

Ramadan Book for Babies

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Many of our dear sisters have recently given birth and for their newest additions to the family this will be their first of, insha'Allaah, many Blessed Months. I thought it might be nice to have a little keepsake book that records baby's first Ramadan and some of the things that baby experienced.

Download 'Baby's First Ramadan' here insha'Allaah

Within this small little book, there are personalized sentences that mother and/or father can complete. There are also pictures of specific items/events related to Ramadan and to baby. Baby also learns a little about this blessed month and what we do during Ramadan. Toward the end of the book, there is also a little list that parents can fill out that mentions things that they hope to do with baby each day in Ramadan insha'Allaah. 

Enjoy insha'Allaah!

Ramadan Wall Picture for Infants

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

This is a Ramadan wall picture that is very easy to make alhamdulillah.

Pictures like this can be hung in a place where newborns, and infants who are not yet able to sit up, can see them and focus on them insha'Allah. For newborns, you can make the masaajid black on a white background or vice-versa since their vision is not yet able to clearly perceive colours. Pictures that are black and white are easier for them to see and thus focus on insha'Allah.

For older infants who are not yet mobile and are having tummy time, you can make the masaajid the primary colours (i.e. red, yellow, green and blue) and place the picture at eye-level in the area where they have tummy time. Allow them to focus on the picture for as long as they are interested insha'Allah.

To make a picture like this is very quick and simple alhamdulillah. For this one, all I did was take a poster board, cut it to the desired size and cover the edges with blue construction paper to make the frame. I then cut out masaajid from construction paper in different colours. I used black construction paper strips to box in each masjid and then I stapled a piece of yarn to the back to hang the picture insha'Allah. Lastly, I took foam flowers and glued them in each corner, which also served to cover the staples in the upper right and left hand corners *smile*. I then wrote 'Ramadan Mubarak' on two of the four masaajid in opposite corners.

Insha'Allah, an easy, colourful way to involve the smallest Muslimeen during the blessed month of Ramadan.

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Arabic Letter Felt Block

Assalamu alaikum,

This little craft will have to made by ummi because it's for the wee ones (smile).

What You'll need insha'Allah:

- Hot glue gun

- Felt in different colours

- Cube Template (I just googled and used an image/template that I felt was large enough insha'Allah)

- Foam shapes (optional)

- Stick pins (the kind you use to hold a pattern down when you're sewing)

- Scissors

- Poster Board

How you make it insha'Allah;

1. Print the block/cube template. With tape, lightly tape it to a poster board. Cut out the pattern. Leave the tape on for now insha'Allah. You'll remove it in a bit insha'Allah.

2. Pin the pattern to the felt insha'Allah (it should be the original paper pattern still taped to the poster board pattern you just cut out insha'Allah). Remove the tape one square at a time and re-pin the block pattern to the felt. Cut the pattern out. Cut the felt pattern a bit larger than the poster board pattern (you can trim it later insha'Allah but if you don't do this you will see some of the white poster board peeking out when you put the cube together).

3. With the hot glue gun, one block at a time, remove the pins and glue the felt to the poster board block pattern.

4. Assemble the cube (but not with the glue gun - just see if it goes together fine insha'Allah) and here you will trim the extra felt on the edges if needed insha'Allah.

5. If all is well insha'Allah, use the hot glue gun to assemble the block. Do this one side at a time and for the top of the block, glue the inside of the cube, not the pattern itself because it will be difficult to insert it into the inside of the block without burning yourself (believe me - I did it and burned my fingers...ouch!...hehe).

6.  With a sharpie pen or marker, on the felt (or foam), draw the Arabic letters you want on your cube insha'Allah. Remember to draw them backward so when you apply the hot glue to the side with the marker on it, you will have the letter facing the right direction insha'Allah.

7. Cut the letters out and glue them to your block/cube. You're done insha'Allah!

Enjoy insha'Allah!