PREPARING YOUR HOMESCHOOL FOR RAMADAN

Ramadan is a special time, a time for fasting, reflection, and spiritual growth. One of the many perks that homeschooling offers is the flexibility to adjust our rhythms and schedules to accommodate the different seasons of the year as they come and go. 

Regardless of how your homeschool year is structured, Ramadan presents a great opportunity for you to redesign your homeschool in order to reap the many benefits of this blessed month.

Here are some tips on how to prepare your homeschool for Ramadan:

Ramadan-themed curriculum: Homeschooling provides the perfect opportunity to incorporate the lessons of Ramadan into your child(ren)’s education. You can create or source a Ramadan-themed curriculum that includes lessons, activities and worksheets on the virtues and significance of the month, Islamic studies, Fiqh of fasting, the relationship between Ramadan and the Quran. This will help your child(ren) know what is expected of Muslims in this month, understand and appreciate the importance of Ramadan. 

Reflection and accountability: Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection and growth, and this can be incorporated into your homeschool routine. Encourage your child(ren) to take time out for daily reflection of the Quran, and accountability for their actions, thoughts, and behaviours using journals, trackers and checklists. An idea for Quran reflection I picked up from a friend recently is Quran tea time. It’s a spin off Julie Bogart’s poetry tea time so instead of poetry, the child(ren) recites passages or ayaat from the Quran for reflection. For younger children, stories from the Quran are a great alternative.

Special Activities: Planning special activities around Ramadan is a great way to create excitement and make Ramadan a more joyful experience for children. For example an arts and craft session to learn about the phases of the moon; a read-aloud session with friends; exploring unique foods from cultures across the world. This is a great way to get your child(ren) more invested in Ramadan.

Community involvement: Ramadan offers us many opportunities to strengthen family and communal ties; Taraweeh, Community/Family iftars, Community feeding and Charity drives. Involving children in the preparation/distribution of food, attending and praying Taraweeh, helping in hosting family, friends and neighbours are all great ways to teach the importance of service, good social manners and the significance of community in Islam.

Selfcare, Rest and Replenishment: Ramadan can be a demanding time, both physically and mentally, so it’s important to block out time for rest and rejuvenation within your homeschool schedule. Encourage your child to take breaks throughout the day, get sufficient sleep, and engage in activities that help replenish their energy such as Quiet time and Dhikr. Teach children healthy eating habits from the Sunnah; observing the sahur, breaking the fast with dates, avoiding overeating and eating to one’s fill. All of these are part of practical life and manners that enrich their learning experience, and contribute in raising wholesome Muslims.

Ramadan presents a wonderful opportunity for (homeschooled) children to deepen their understanding of their faith, increase their consciousness of Allah and build a relationship with the Quran. By accommodating Ramadan in your homeschool curriculum and daily routine, you can help your child develop a greater appreciation for this blessed month and its importance. 

I hope that these tips help you create a meaningful and memorable Ramadan experience for your family.