5 Educational Approaches Every Muslim Parent Needs
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Modern
theories of education have multiplied, and methods of advice, guidance, and
sound upbringing have diversified. This can leave some parents confused or
overwhelmed, asking themselves: Which approach should I follow to raise my
child properly?
This
confusion has intensified with the proliferation of communication technologies
and the rise of technological obsession and digital addiction—meaning
that the child is now influenced by multiple educational environments at once.
In the
past, the family, the school, and the mosque were the primary foundations of
upbringing. Today, these environments have expanded in ways that often confuse
caregivers. In addition to clubs, streets, and friends, children are now shaped
by mobile phones, television, Facebook, TikTok, chat rooms, electronic games,
artificial intelligence, and virtual realities.
Educational Approaches for Every
Muslim Parent
Below, we
summarize five essential educational approaches that must be present in every
home—approaches parents should understand well and that children should witness
in both word and action throughout their upbringing from an early age.
1. Showing Love and
Emotional Presence in a Child’s Life
First:
expressing love to children, playing with them, and spending quality time
together is a natural human need and a top priority that must be central to parents’ agendas.
A child’s exposure to the affection of both parents during infancy leaves a
positive imprint on their perception of the world.
By the
age of five or six, the features of moral identity begin to emerge more
clearly, according to a scientific study
issued by the National Library of Medicine.
The
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)
is the finest role model in this regard. `Abdullah Ibn Shaddad narrated from
his father: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came out to us for one of the nighttime prayers, and he was carrying
Hasan or Husain. The Messenger of Allah (peace be
upon him) came
forward and put him down, then he said the Takbir and started to pray. He
prostrated during his prayer, and made the prostration lengthy.” My father
said: “I raised my head and saw the child on the back of the Messenger of Allah
(peace be upon him) while he was prostrating so I went back to my prostration. When the
Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) finished praying, the people said:
"O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), you prostrated during the prayer for
so long that we thought that something had happened or that you were receiving
a revelation.' He said: 'No such thing happened. But my son was riding on my
back and I did not like to disturb him until he had enough.'” (Sunan An-Nasa'i)
2. Parents as Moral Role
Models
Second
comes role modeling after
the environment of love. Parents are the first moral reference for their
children and the first image engraved in their minds regarding any
behavior—positive or negative.
Be
cautious, for the child silently asks: Why am I forbidden from this while
you do it yourself?
When
advice contradicts actions, confusion arises in children’s minds, and trust in
parents erodes. This makes it essential for words to align with actions. When
parents consistently demonstrate noble character and virtuous values, those
qualities become deeply rooted in their children.
3. Constructive Dialogue
Instead of Commands and Prohibitions
Third:
parenting experts advise engaging in constructive dialogue with children and avoiding the rigid method of
commands and prohibitions.
Children
need someone who listens to them, engages them in discussion, and considers
their opinions when they are correct. When they are wrong, they should be given
space to apologize, correct themselves, and repair mistakes—not merely
punished. Research shows
that respecting children’s voices and involving them in discussions about their
behavior supports their psychological and moral development, as recognized in
the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
4. Gradual Upbringing and
Respecting Developmental Stages
Fourth:
gradual progression in upbringing while considering the child’s age and
developmental stage.
The
Prophet (peace
be upon him) advised this when instructing parents
regarding prayer, saying: “Command your children
to observe prayer when they are seven years old, and beat them for [not
observing] it when they are ten years old, and do not let [boys and girls]
sleep together.” (Abu Dawud)
Wisdom in
educational construction also includes building small habits that support
values, such as cleanliness, order, honesty in speech, lowering the gaze,
apologizing for mistakes, correcting harm before it escalates, respecting time,
fulfilling promises, and safeguarding trusts.
5. Building Responsibility
and Avoiding Excessive Pampering
Fifth:
developing the child’s personality while avoiding excessive pampering, and
teaching them the art of responsibility.
Children
should be assigned daily and weekly roles in serving the household, then later
the extended family, and eventually society. It is important to help them
become more self-reliant in tasks such as organizing their rooms, ironing their
clothes, packing their bags, setting the dining table, and other simple duties.
These
responsibilities nurture a sense of accountability, cooperation, and
teamwork—helping children grow into balanced, capable individuals.
You May Also Read:
- 5 Successful Strategies for Managing Financial Affairs between Spouses in Islam
- 6 Habits to Overcome Lethargy
- 5 Ways to Assist your Child with Their Studying
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