Games for Children Between the Ages of 1 - 4

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Alhamdulillaah, there are many beautiful, well-made toys for young children. These toys have the potential to keep children engaged for substantial amounts of time and they provide crucial learning that aides in development. Today, in'shaa allaah, some will be presented here, and later, craft ideas and activities that cost little or no money will be posted, that children will enjoy in'shaa allaah.  

The first toy is a Junior Ramp:

Children between the ages of 1 1/2 - 3 years old may enjoy sending the different colour cars down the ramp numerous time while they engage in imaginary play. 

The second and third toys, a Wooden Triangle Stacker and a Wooden Square Stacker give children between the ages of 1 1/2  - 3 years old the ability to practice developing their hand-eye coordination. 

The next toy is Small Wooden Stacking & Nesting Bowls, Natural

Young children will spend time learning about size and sequencing and they will also work on fine motor skill development. 

The last toy is a Little Lock Box:

This wooden box has compartments where children can hide objects and toys, it provides pincer-grip practice, and it helps children practice their coordination and manual dexterity skills. Plus, it is very attractive!

Toys such as those presented in this post teach children essential fine motor, hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity skills, and they also have the potential to provide children will quality play that lasts for a sustained period of time. 

Check back soon for crafts and activity ideas that cost little or no money and use materials that are commonly found around the house.
  

Arabic Letters Handwriting Workbook now in French!

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Alhamdulillaah the Arabic Letters Handwriting Workbook is now in French! Jazakillaahu khayr to our dear sister Umm Sawda for doing the French translation and also jazakillaahu khayr to sister Umm Tesnim for her valuable input. If there are still errors dear sisters (when the translated text was inserted into the file) please do let me know.

Click here to download the book - the French version has also been added to the original post along with a picture of a bound book.

Enjoy insha'Allaah!

Arabic Letters Handwriting Workbook now in Dutch!

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Alhamdulillaah the Arabic Letters Handwriting Workbook is now in Dutch! Jazakillaahu khayr to our dear sister Umm Lynah for doing the Dutch translation (and so quickly too tabarakallaah!).

 

Click here to download the book - the Dutch version has also been added to the original post.

 

The French version is coming soon insha'Allaah! Check Back!

Enjoy insha'Allaah!

Another Way to Encourage Children's Writing

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

What do you get when you take a box:

a few paper towel rolls,

and add a little clip art, some paint and a lots of imagination?

............ a portable toddler writing centre!

Inside, children find both regular and colour pencils, crayons, a glue stick, small envelopes, a writing pad made with scrap paper, erasers, a ruler that was made with cardboard and a fine tip marker, and stamps downloaded from Easel & Ink. 

As early as 18 months, some children are able to hold markers, pencils and crayons. Thus they begin their first attempts at writing and although we may not be able to decipher the text they happily present to us, these are their first steps toward what will later develop into letters and pictures insha'Allaah. 

As parents and teachers, we can help children in this process by providing crayons, pencils, markers, scratch paper, erasers, and all sorts of goodies that children love to "write" with. Keeping these accessories handy encourages children to begin to attempt writing insha'Allaah.We can also help by cheerfully acknowledging those doodles and scratches when the little ones show them to us. By acknowledging these attempts with comments such as "Masha'Allaah! What a wonderful truck you've drawn" or "That is a very neat letter C masha'Allaah!" (or whatever they have told us their writing/drawing is) we are helping children feel that what they have attempted and contributed counts and that we truly value it. And as children begin to understand that print conveys meaning, they are also beginning another incredible journey...learning how to read insha'Allaah.

This little writing centre is portable and while I say toddler writing centre, the portable part and all other aspects of it really go right up to Kindergarten. So grab a box, some paper towel rolls, some paint and imagine away! Whatever you and your children design, it will be "write" on target insha'Allaah!

Enjoy insha'Allaah!

Toddler Driver License

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

Children ask for the funniest things! I was asked for car papers today. For toddlers? Hmm....

When folded each side shows the tot driver license and the tot's box registration

I put the papers into a plastic card holder so it looks "official"

Of course this license only entitles the holder to drive a box (smile) but that seemed to be exactly what was ordered.

If your tot would like papers, you can download them here insha'Allaah

Toddlers Driving.....Enjoy insha'Allaah!

Bargain stores help with homeschooling

Assalamu alaikum,

Many times I've read that trying to homeschool using the Montessori method can be expensive and...it can be. Some of the materials can be costly and not within your budget (this can be true even for schools).

Very seldom do I buy brand new wooden toys because I think I would go broke very quickly (smile). So I peruse the local bargain stores to see what wonderful find awaits me and sometimes, alhamdulillah, I find good things - like this puzzle:

I usually see these types of puzzles selling from $9 - $14.00. At the local bargain store I bought this one for $2.99 alhamdulillah and it was in excellent condition!

So while homeschooling the Montessori way can be expensive, it also can be inexpensive too alhamdulillah (well...if you've got some nice bargain stores around, or if not, try local garage sells too insha'Allah).

Wooden Spool Threading Activity

Assalamu aliakum,

This is a simply threading activity I sat out this afternoon for practice with fine motor skills. 

I found these wooden spools at the local craft store and paired them with a pipe cleaner, which I knotted at the bottom so the spools won't slide off, to make a quick threading activity alhamdulillah.

 The wooden spools are large so small hands can pick

them up without much difficulty. The child can then

focus on getting the spools threaded onto the pipe cleaner.


Here was a modification made for younger infants/toddlers:

Line the wooden spools up (while the child is watching), starting from the child's right (or left if your child is learning to read in English) and ending at the child's left (or right for the English language).

I used a wooden dowel and grabbed a thick rubber band (spur of the moment modification...lol) and wound it around the bottom so the spools would not fall off. A surprising benefit was that the rubber band helped the child hold the dowel to remove the spools.

Simple afternoon work to end the day alhamdulillah. 
Enjoy insha'Allah! 

Work trays made from egg carton tops

Assalamu alaikum,

Yet another use for egg cartons: Work trays. They hold just the right amount of items for little hands to easily explore. This one was used as a work tray for exploring items found in nature.

Inside, I placed sea shells, a walnut (too big for infants/toddlers to swallow insha'Allah), tiny pine cones, and a rock collected on a recent nature walk.

This is a close-up of the activity

To make this, all that was done was cutting the top part of an empty egg carton off. Glue blank index cards inside of the top to cover the writing so the child will not be distracted by it and place the items in the "tray". All done!

Alhamdulillah, it was enjoyed so much this week that I have not removed it from the work table yet.

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Miniature Felt Writing Notebooks

Assalamu alaikum,

Around 18 months of age toddlers begin to show an interest in writing, colouring, holding pencils, crayons, markers, etc. Observing that this has become a favourite pastime here, I decided to make some miniature writing notebooks to encourage this interest.

And I thought the ladybug phase had passed (smile)....

I was wrong. One of our books happened to have a picture of a ladybug/bird in it and that picture was enough to start the love of the ladybug all over again. Do you know how many times I heard the word ladybug that day? (smile) And please overlook the condition of our work table - it's been through play-dough, planting soil, spilled water, crayons, and other activities that contribute to its ever fading colour...lol.

This is the inside of the notebook

This is a prayer rug miniature notebook

the inside

All I used to make these was cardboard and felt cut to the pattern of the books.

I first cut two cardboard patterns out and then traced that pattern onto the felt. For the ladybug/bird, I used the hot glue gun to attach the dots and to glue the black and red body together. When it was assembled, I glued the felt ladybug to the first cardboard pattern for extra durability. I used the second cardboard ladybug cut-out for the back cover and cut a single sheet of computer paper into four circles. Then I stapled them to the back cover and then stapled the felt ladybug front cover to the pages and back cover. The staples are hidden under the ladybug's head for safety. I used pipe cleaner for the antennae and used my hot glue gun to attach them to the back cover of the book. I intentionally put the antennae right over the second set of staples (those that were visible from stapling the paper to the back cover) so that when I glued them on, the hot glue would cover the staples and the pointing parts would be hidden safely under the glob of hot glue (I hope that is clear as I was not able to take pictures of the step by step assembly). The process was roughly the same for the prayer rug book.

These little notebooks were immediately written in (and coloured in) and I even took some time to sit down and doodle too!  There are many ways you can be creative with these insha'Allah. Kindergarteners can cut out felt and design their own book covers if provided with cardboard patterns insha'Allah. These are fairly easy to assemble and there are many ways to personalize them as well.

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Egg Carton Garden

Assalamu alaikum,

Here is a craft that you can invite children to do to get ready for spring insha'Allah: An Egg Carton Garden.

You can start planning which seeds you'd like to plant now insha'Allah and as spring draws near, you can set out to the store and pick up your seeds and start your garden insha'Allah. For ideas for plants that grow quickly and beautifully, see this post insha'Allah.

 

You probably can't see it because of the glare but the wording on the fence says, "Allahu Akbar"

To make this project you will need::

- Egg carton (not Styrofoam) cut in half and then the part that hold the eggs was cut in half as well

- Craft Sticks/Popsicle Sticks

- Plastic Bag

- Glue (non-toxic)

- Non-Toxic Paint

- Potting soil

- Seeds of your choice

- Small watering can

To make this project:

1). After you have cut your egg carton in half, get your craft sticks and make your gate. Use a plastic bag and line up all of the sticks on this bag.

2). Apply a nice amount of glue to the sticks.

3). Gently swirl the glue around (with your fingers - kids will love this part insha'Allah..hehe) so that it covers the sticks and gets in between them as well insha'Allah. If you swirl too hard the sticks will move out of place but you can put them back easily insha'Allah.

4). Allow the stick gate to dry over night and gently peel it away from/off of the plastic bag. Paint the stick gate any colour you'd like insha'Allah. Allow the paint to dry completely. When the paint is completely dry, glue the gate to the back of the egg carton (the long part that does not hold the eggs - the cover). Allow the glue to dry completely. *You may need something to weigh the egg carton down so the stick gate dries securely against the egg carton insha'Allah. I used the bottles of paint. Place the egg carton and gate down onto the plastic - with the gate on the plastic and the egg carton sticking up in the air (and on top of the gate)and place the paint bottles on top of the egg carton against the gate. I should have taken a picture of that now that I think of it.*

5). Once the gate has dried securely to the egg carton cover, decorate your gate with cloth flowers, ceramic or foam veggies, or better yet: allow the child(ren) to paint whatever decorations they'd like on to their gate insha'Allah.

Almost done alhamdulillah!

6). Once the gate decorations are done, place your potting soil in the egg compartments, place your seeds in, cover them with additional soil insha'Allah, water and wait for a blessing from Allah to bloom before your children's eyes insha'Allah!

I put a small watering can in the space next to the soil that way the children can be responsible for watering the seeds each day insha'Allah. After they are shown how to do this, place a small amount of water in the water can each day and invite them to water the seeds insha'Allah. You may also choose to place a water dropper and a small cup of water in the tray and show the children how to fill the water dropper and place the appropriate amount of water in each compartment insha'Allah. This can help avoid overwatering the seeds/plants insha'Allah.

Once the plants start getting too big for their egg carton homes, you can take the egg carton and place it in the ground and it will dissolve without harming the environment insha'Allah. I think I may do an indoor herb garden this way too insha'Allah!

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Ice Pictures

Assalamu alaikum,

A winter nature walk, melted snow, collected twigs, pine needles, tree bark, stones, or whatever goodies you and your little one can find make this winter craft especially nice. Use all of these collected wonders that Allah has Created to make an ice picture insha'Allah:

I stumbled upon this beautiful (and easy) craft on My Little Hen and children as young as nine months old can enjoy this craft because if they are given the items in their hand, they can drop them into the aluminum pan. Older infants can actually go beyond that and collect the snow, allow it to melt and pour the water into the aluminum pan insha'Allah.

When the picture was frozen and ready to be explored, I took the opportunity to point out and name each of the items encased in the ice and mention that it is Allah who Created each of these things, including the ice. I also used this time to introduce and reinforce the concept of temperature and textures (i.e. cold, rough, smooth, etc.). This was an activity that was truly enjoyed alhamdulillah.

This is a great motor and sensory activity for infants and toddlers during the winter months and I hope you and your children have the chance to make an ice picture insha'Allah.

*Note: I recommend using melted snow because for many around the world, water is a precious, and often hard to come by, resource. I do not know the Islamic ruling on using water on such an activity as this but to err on the side of caution I thought it best to use melted snow instead of water that can be used to drink or cook with and waallahu alim.*

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Ladybug Counting Activity

Assalamu alaikum,

Last week when the Garden Magnet activity was presented, alhamdulillah it was enthusiastically received. I noticed that there was a definite affinity toward the ladybugs as they were carried around, shared, and transported to places I hadn't anticipated. So, this upcoming week we will 'follow the child' insha'Allah and build on this interest in ladybugs insha'Allah. I put together two games and requested 'A Ladybug's Life' from the library. I've never read this book before but if it turns out to be good insha'Allah, I'll be sure to add it to the recommended books category insha'Allah.

The first game is a math game.

This is the game with the Arabic numbers (English numbers are included in the file). Children match the numbered ladybugs with the appropriate dot on the flower. The ayat on the top of the activity mat is from surah Al-An'aam. Allah says what means, "There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, then unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered."

The activity in progress

This is the game (close up) but the ladybugs have dots on them that correspond to the dots on the petals of the flower. For younger children who, developmentally, are not at the point where they would know the numbers they can count the dots on the ladybugs and match them that way insha'Allah.

The second game is also a math game but incorporates some fine motor skill work as well insha'Allah.

Children take a work mat and the activity and find a nice space to work insha'Allah.

They match the ladybug clips to the petals on the flower using the dots insha'Allah.

For older children you can write the numbers in Arabic or in English on the clothes pins or on the backs of the ladybugs insha'Allah. To make the ladybug clothes pins I just used red craft foam and a black marker. I used a small bottle to trace a circle and then added the head. I then added the dots to the back of each ladybug and used a hot glue gun to attach them to the cloths pin.

To go along with this activity insha'Allah, I think I'll show this video of a ladybug insha'Allah. It is short (to match the attention span of the intended audiance *smile*). There is no music alhamdulillah and it gives a great close up view of a ladybug.

Here is the file if you'd like to do this activity too insha'Allah. In the file there are ladybugs with Arabic and English numbers and dot ladybugs and the two games.

Enjoy insha'Allah!

Activity: Exploring the Properties of Magnets

Assalamu alaikum,

This magnet activity from a while back has suddenly made a comeback. When I noticed the renewed interest in it, I put it on a cookie tray and placed it on the table and moved away.

It was used for about 20 minutes straight - in complete focused silence. I was amazed and delighted because lately I feel like I want to move away from paper and glue crafts and more to hands on activities insha'Allah. As I sat back watching, I realized that it was the magnets, of course, that were the main attraction of the activity so I decided that the next opportunity I had, I'd run out and get things to make more magnets insha'Allah. The other thing is I noticed that the placement of the magnets, which show different positions of the salat, was being done with thoughtfulness and deliberation. So that presented me with a challenge....what activity could I make where I can incorporates magnets with Islam? Well, I haven't come up with any ideas just yet (at least none that I have the supplies for...hehe) but I decided that in the meantime insha'Allah, I'd still try to make an activity that can be used to encourage a continued exploration of the properties of magnets insha'Allah. Here is what I made alhamdulillah (preschool and kindergarten children can make the background scene themselves insha'Allah):

The activity completed

(an example of how it could be done insha'Allah)

The activity ready to be used insha'Allah

The activity with the felt ladybug removed and ready for the child to place along the felt grass where he/she wishes insha'Allah.

I decided upon a nice garden scene largely because most of the other wooden pieces (needed to make the magnets) I found at the store either had faces on them or were inappropriate (I'm shocked at some of the things that are marketed to be used by children). In the end, I put the scene on a piece of construction paper and glued different elements into the scene.

I made some of the pieces from foam and others from felt (the grass and one of the ladybugs is felt) or a combination (like the sun magnet).

To make the magnets I just bought some small wooden painted pieces and attached craft magnets to the backs with a hot glue gun.

I'm excited to see how this activity is received insha'Allah. I wonder if it will be another 20 minutes of focused fun insha'Allah....

Enjoy insha'Allah!