With the increasing challenges facing Arabic language education for our children, it is imperative to reconsider the curricula adopted in this field to align with children's cognitive needs and instill in them a love for the language. This is not merely an educational endeavor but a foundation for preserving our Islamic identity.
The connection between the Arabic language and the identity of the Muslim Ummah is affirmed by reality and explicitly mentioned in the Quran, as in the verse: "Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand." (Az-Zukhruf: 3). Therefore, developing Arabic language curricula for children is a critical matter requiring in-depth study, especially amidst the rapid cultural and technological changes that make this development far beyond traditional academic requirements. It has become an urgent necessity to ensure children's ability to communicate effectively, understand their culture and religion, and secure their future—not merely to improve their education level.
Our current educational reality reveals that many existing curricula rely on traditional methods, such as memorization and repetition. While effective at certain stages, these methods do not foster critical thinking skills or deep understanding of the language. This raises a fundamental question: How can we develop curricula to better meet children's cognitive needs?
This challenge necessitates starting from the foundation: Arabic should be both a tool for understanding Islamic texts and a medium for stimulating creativity and thought. Upon reviewing current Arabic language curricula for children, we notice several issues, such as a lack of diversity aligned with modern learning methods. For example, digital applications and interactive activities are underutilized. A 2023 study by "Educause" revealed that current methods fail to provide a stimulating educational environment for children, highlighting the need to integrate technology into the learning process.
A study conducted by Dr. Hussein Ali Nasser in April 2022, involving 300 teachers in Iraq, found that teachers' understanding of children's developmental characteristics significantly influenced educational success. Thus, new curricula must include educational strategies that consider these characteristics, such as using stories and educational games that engage children.
In this context, storytelling literature emerges as an effective tool for teaching Arabic to children. It fosters linguistic and expressive skills while serving as an educational and moral vessel, especially when derived from Quranic stories or the biography of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Technology has also become an integral part of children's lives today. Incorporating technological tools into Arabic language curricula—such as educational applications and electronic games—can enhance learning effectiveness.
Based on recent studies, the most effective approach appears to combine traditional and modern methods in Arabic language education for children. This allows for significant benefits from technology while preserving the advantages of traditional teaching methods, particularly in fostering linguistic values and traditions. Quranic stories and prophetic hadiths play a central role in teaching children Arabic. Curricula that exclude the Quran and Sunnah often fail to build strong linguistic capabilities in children. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself used storytelling to teach his companions, a method we should revive in our curricula.
This prophetic practice aligns with the Quranic approach mentioned in the verse: "There was certainly in their stories a lesson for those of understanding." (Yusuf: 111). The stories in the Quran are not mere tales but lessons that inspire reflection and understanding, a practice prevalent in "kuttabs" (traditional Quran schools) until recent decades.
Among the traditional methods that prevailed in "kuttabs" until the early 20th century was the oral teaching of Quran recitation and memorization. Scientifically, this has been proven as one of the most effective ways to build foundational language skills. A 2021 study by Humboldt University in Germany found that children exposed to conversations in their mother tongue learn faster than those relying solely on reading.
Educational experts recommend developing listening and speaking skills in children, a hallmark of the "kuttabs," which focused deeply on teaching Arabic through Quran memorization and religious texts. This model allows children to master classical Arabic from a young age, strengthening their language foundation and enabling them to express themselves fluently.
More importantly, children must be encouraged to use the language in daily life. Direct teaching time is limited, so schools could dedicate periods for speaking Arabic through daily activities, such as role-playing or discussing school events. These methods enhance children's ability to think in Arabic, facilitating the acquisition of other linguistic skills like reading and writing.
Furthermore, no curriculum development can succeed without focusing on teachers' roles and training. Developing education requires developing teachers and training them in modern pedagogical methods that promote critical thinking and positive interaction with students. A key point here is that teachers must fully understand that teaching Arabic is not just about transferring vocabulary or grammar rules but is an educational process encompassing cultural values and a sense of linguistic identity.
Developing curricula without a continuous evaluation mechanism means repeating past mistakes, leading to disengaging curricula. Regularly reviewing curricula based on students' results in language skill assessments must be an integral and ongoing part of development—not a seasonal effort.
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