It s a bit of a challenge to explain to your child the meaning of Ramadan.
That s where an internet site called Young Enlightened Submitters comes in with its innovative ideas through engaging in various activities that would help your child begin to understand the spirit of the holy month.
One idea is to get a copy of an Islamic design – such as a mosque with a minaret – glue the picture to a piece of cardboard, and then cut out the outline. The picture can then be colored, decorated and hung on the refrigerator or from the ceiling. Using this picture, parents can begin explaining to their children how the five prayers Muslims perform every day bring them closer to God.
The Ramadan calendar chain is another creative project. Cut colored construction paper into 30 eight-inch long strips, loop strips together to make a long chain, and attach it to the bottom of a cutout of a mosque or crescent. Everyday, the child can remove on loop from the chain as the parent explains how Muslims fast for 30 days and why they abstain from food and drink from dawn until dusk.
Fasting during Ramadan is meant to make people feel the struggle of the poor and give sadaqa (alms) to alleviate their burden. People usually engage in different charitable activities during the holy month.
A good way to introduce this idea to a child is to get a jar, decorate it with stickers, and have them put coins in it everyday throughout the month while explaining how God ordered Muslims to help the poor.
At the end of the month, the child can donate the change to a mosque or a charity of their choice. They can also use the money to buy toys and donate them to an orphanage or distribute them to the needy. Once they see the smile they help put on children’s faces, they will understand the meaning of benevolence.
Another fun activity is to help children make their own fanous (lantern) out of construction paper, which can then be colored and painted with different shapes. They can also use colored construction paper to make each section of the lantern and glue them together on a piece of cardboard.
These activities will not only help children understand the different ideas of Ramadan, they are also a great way to spend quality time with the kids.
