The school vacation is one of the most important opportunities for parents to engage their children in useful activities, given its long duration free from studies and homework. These activities can be diverse and exciting to develop their skills, talents, and various abilities.

The Prophet ﷺ Teaches Us the Importance of Utilizing Events

Looking at the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), we find that he utilized daily events and others to instill righteous values in the hearts of children. This optimal utilization has a significant impact on their upbringing, intellectual development, and mental well-being. This ideal approach opens up a dialogue that helps in the growth of ideas and knowledge in the learner.

Here are some examples of these events and how the Prophet (peace be upon him) utilized them to convey values:

– It is narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was brought a tumbler (full of milk or water), and he drank from it, while on his right side there was sitting a boy who was the youngest of those who were present, and on his left side there were old men. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, "O boy ! Do you allow me to give (the drink) to the elder people (first)?" The boy said, "I will not prefer anybody to have my share from you, O Allah's Apostle!" So, he gave it to the boy. (Narrated by Bukhari).

– Umar ibn Abu Salama narrated: I was a boy under the care of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and as my hand used to wander around in the dish, he (ﷺ) said to me once, "Mention Allah's Name (i.e., say Bismillah), eat with your right hand, and eat from what is in front of you." (Narrated by Bukhari).

– Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: " I used to serve the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace." He continued, "I used to enter without asking for permission to enter. One day I came and he said, 'My son, there is a new situation. You should not come in unless you have permission.'" (Narrated by Bukhari).

The Most Important Educational Activities

Recreation is considered one of the most beloved and beneficial activities for children, to the extent that it is often referred to as self-education. Through enjoyment and fun, learning, development, and growth occur, along with the highest degrees of receptivity and choice.

Children naturally tend to move and play, which drives them to explore the environment they live in. Recreation refers to any activity a child freely and independently engages in, emphasizing its importance and value in conveying hoped-for values through enjoyable and entertaining education.

Benefits of Recreation Among Family Members for Raising Their Children ⁽¹⁾:

1. It addresses the monotony of the daily routine and prevents family life from becoming dull and stagnant.

2. It brings joy, happiness, and fun to the family members.

3. It alleviates psychological pressures on family members caused by daily responsibilities and duties, enhancing their ability to perform them better. When mental stress and tension from daily pressures intensify, it creates a fertile environment for releasing the energies, skills, and talents of children.

4. It makes the child feel a sense of belonging to their home and family.

5. It brings happiness, joy, and delight to the hearts of children.

6. meets a psychological need for humans, as people naturally love entertainment and recreation. It brings joy to the soul, serving as a prevention against some modern-day diseases, foremost among them being depression and psychological stress.

7. It fosters love and affection among family members and strengthens their relationships. The more family members participate in recreational programs and compete in them, the stronger their bond and connection become.

Beware: Your Child Might Take Steps Backward!

Yes, your child might regress if you hand them their phone for hours. Studies have shown that phones significantly impact children by increasing their levels of depression and anxiety, leading to social phobia, delaying cognitive development, affecting their focus and academic performance, and even causing frequent forgetfulness.

Therefore, it is recommended to hold a family meeting to discuss issues and distribute tasks among the children, so they can participate in household chores and help with purchasing necessities. This approach prevents them from spending all their time on their phones and falling victim to electronic games.

-------------------------------------------------------------

(1) From the research titled “The Importance of Recreational Orientations and Practices in Family Stability and Cohesion,” by Dr. Belkacem Doudou, University of Ouargla, and Mr. Ahmed Nasir, with modifications.

Read this Article in Arabic