The role of mothers in their children’s lives extends far beyond being a means of communication; it significantly influences the child’s cultural and social identity. This mission begins during the earliest stages of speech, where the mother acts as the first model to whom the child listens and from whom they absorb the vocabulary and structure of their language—whether through daily conversations or the stories and tales she shares.
Instilling a love for the Arabic language in a child begins when the mother integrates the language into their daily life. This can include reading stories, singing simple songs, and interacting with the child using proper Arabic vocabulary infused with love and patience. Studies have shown that children exposed to rich vocabulary during early childhood develop stronger language skills in later years. Thus, the mother’s role is not limited to teaching correct pronunciation but extends to embedding a love for the language and connecting the child to it through simple and enjoyable life experiences.
The role of both mother and father can also extend to utilizing mealtimes or playtime to teach the child new words and associate them with practical contexts. Continuous verbal interaction nurtures the child’s listening skills and enhances their ability to comprehend linguistic structures. This verbal engagement lays the foundation for a robust linguistic base, enabling the child to express their thoughts and emotions effectively in the future.
Since the mother is the first link between the child and their cultural environment, her use of Arabic contributes to building the child’s cultural identity, instilling in them a sense of pride in their cultural and religious heritage, and fostering a connection with their linguistic heritage.
Daily Communication as a Foundation
Daily communication between the mother and child forms the cornerstone of language development. It goes beyond simply transferring information; it acts as a bridge that conveys the world in all its details to the child. Through this, the child acquires linguistic and stylistic skills necessary for interacting with their surroundings. Simple, daily conversations within the context of routine activities are among the most effective ways to develop speech and expression skills in children. They learn words and sentences naturally through repetition and practice.
When a mother uses clear and simple language while talking to her child, she creates an encouraging linguistic environment for language growth. Scientific studies have indicated that children who engage in daily conversations with their mothers from an early age acquire a richer vocabulary and develop better pronunciation and grammatical skills more quickly than those deprived of such verbal interactions.
A study published in the journal Child Development (2020) highlighted that the quality of communication between mother and child, including the variety of words and phrases used, plays a significant role in shaping the child’s linguistic abilities in later stages. Daily conversations also boost the child’s self-confidence and ability to express their needs and ideas. They provide opportunities for the child to hear language in different forms and mimic the pronunciation of words and sentences.
For example, during meals or playtime, the mother can name tools and ingredients clearly and repeat them, helping the child associate words with their surroundings. Using emotional expressions and vocal intonations further enhances the child’s understanding of words in various contexts and supports the development of both language and emotional abilities.
The Story as a Linguistic Tool
Stories at various stages of childhood serve as a unique educational tool, allowing mothers not only to enrich their child’s vocabulary but also to instill lasting cultural values and concepts. Through tales inspired by Quranic texts and the Prophet’s traditions, mothers can present a living model of the Arabic language in its refined literary form. This helps children acquire new vocabulary and refine their expressive skills in an engaging and captivating way.
Islamic stories, which reflect noble meanings derived from ethics and values such as honesty, trustworthiness, justice, and kindness, connect the child to both their language and culture. For instance, when a mother recounts the story of Prophet Yusuf and his brothers or Prophet Musa and Pharaoh, she introduces the child to rich linguistic structures and explains vocabulary through precise contexts. This approach not only enhances the child’s language skills but also connects them to cultural contexts that deepen their understanding of the world around them.
Studies, such as one published in the Early Childhood Education Journal, have confirmed that storytelling improves children’s listening and expression skills. Through stories, mothers can use repetition and interaction to reinforce vocabulary in the child’s mind. Verbal interaction between the mother and child is crucial in this regard. For instance, when the mother asks the child about the story’s moral or encourages them to retell the events in their own words, she fosters their analytical and critical thinking skills while enriching their vocabulary with new words presented in natural contexts.
Islamic stories often employ eloquent language, making them an effective tool for introducing children to the fundamentals of Arabic grammar and morphology, without the influence of colloquial dialects. Additionally, stories stimulate the child’s imagination, encouraging them to ask questions and interact with the narrative. They nurture a love for learning and linguistic exploration. When a mother carefully selects Islamic stories and narrates them with engaging tones and voice modulation, she adds an emotional dimension that enhances the child’s understanding and appreciation of the language. This positive interaction not only strengthens linguistic skills but also deepens the emotional bond between the child and the mother, making the child more receptive to learning from her.
Challenges Faced by Mothers
Mothers face significant challenges in fostering a love for the Arabic language in their children due to the growing dominance of foreign languages in various aspects of daily life, such as education, digital games, and entertainment. Children are often inclined to use English due to the influence of media and foreign schools.
Additionally, Arabic digital content suffers from a severe shortage, making it difficult to find engaging and high-quality educational resources. Mothers also struggle to dedicate enough time to teaching their children Arabic due to daily life pressures. Some may lack proficiency in the rules of the language, while others hesitate to teach it due to the strong influence of foreign languages.
Despite these challenges, there is hope in finding innovative solutions, such as leveraging modern technologies to produce engaging educational content and raising mothers’ awareness of their role in preserving the Arabic language.
Ultimately, teaching our children proper Arabic can only be achieved through Islamic upbringing, which our societies strive to establish. This upbringing connects children to virtuous role models. All the qualities children admire in the individuals they seek to imitate —beauty, intelligence, knowledge, courage, strength, and generosity—were embodied in one perfect individual: our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
He is the ultimate role model for raising children, as he said: “Nurture your children upon three traits: the love of your Prophet, the love of his family, and the recitation of the Qur’an.”
When our children develop a love for their Prophet and their Qur’an, they naturally cultivate a love for their language as well.
-------------------------------------------------------------
- Mukhtar, Abdulaziz, (2015), The Effect of Linguistic Interaction Between Mother and Child on Language Acquisition, Dar Al-Nahda.
- UNICEF Report on The Importance of the Early Years in Children's Language Development.
- Child Language Acquisition and the Role of Caregivers, Journal of Early Childhood Research.
Read the Article in Arabic
