Muslim Lifestyle

How To Teach Your Children Literacy

Issue 1 Sept / Oct 2003

From the day they are born surround your child with books. Books should be seen to be interesting and colourful - something the child will want to hold and play with.

“Read!” This was the first word revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (S) by the angel Gabriel. It has been an inspiration in Islam ever since.

 Parents teach their children the importance of reading from an early age. Muslims believe the Qur’an provides guidance and knowledge and that seeking knowledge is also worship.

 In our complex world strong literacy skills are so important. Teaching your child to read can be an enjoyable and bonding experience.

 At Primary school, children will be introduced to new ways of learning to read and write. Literacy has become a major focus in all schools. In the UK alone, over seven million adults have literacy skills below those expected of an average eleven year old. Schools often encourage parents to take an equal role in teaching their child to read. This does not have to be complicated or difficult. Phonics, blends and spelling techniques are already taught well at school. The parents’ role is only to make reading enjoyable and an everyday experience and not something the child feels they are made to do.

There are two ways that a parent can introduce a child to literacy:

Recognising letters

Children often learn to read and write their own name first. Start with the first letter in your child’s name, for example B for Bilal. Draw the letter on paper and let your child copy it and draw over it. Find the letter in newspapers and magazines. Let the child cut it out and stick it in a scrapbook. Play the game ‘I spy’ (I spy with my little eye something beginning with B). Make a collection of objects, which begin with that letter. Try to spot the letter when shopping, on adverts and signs. Soon the child will want to know what the other letters are. Use play dough to make the shape of the letters in the name.

Reading stories

From the day they are born surround your child with books. Books should be seen to be interesting and colourful - something the child will want to hold and play with. Read and tell stories to your child before bedtime or at a quiet time of the day. The child will enjoy this close contact with you and will associate reading with calm.

 Show where you start reading and which way the print goes (in English, from left to right, top to bottom). Use words like ‘page’ and ‘front cover’ when reading a book. Ask your child to help retell their favourite story. Ask your child to name the characters in the story by pointing at the pictures.

words: Hina Bokhari

illustration: Ruh al Alam