Busy Baby Mama blogs

Here’s a neat Ramadan activity I am doing this month with my toddler…

I printed this Ramadan Calendar template to help my child keep track of the days of Ramadan.  Before each Iftar, we head to our little “Ramadan Wall”. We count how many days of Ramadan have passed, and how many days are left for Eid (while building some excitement in the process!) I found that after nearly a month now, my child’s number skills have improved drastically!

Then my child and I created our very own Good Deeds Jar to encourage some good deeds being done by even the littlest member of the house. My child learned the meaning of good deeds and the importance to do more during this special month. I used 2 jars for this project, one held the strips of paper that contained the good deed tasks to be performed by my child, and the other held little incentives or prizes for my child to look forward to after the good deed was performed, like little party favors, toys, stickers or even some candy.

It’ll take less than an hour to make, and you spend 5 minutes a day just having your child dip her hand in the Good Deeds jar, and complete a simple task such as ” Fast for an hour”, “Give Sadaqa”, “Clean your toys”, and so on! This activity allows your child to understand and realize what kind of good deeds a Muslim is expected to perform and how Allah is “saving” all our rewards to present us with when we meet Him Insh’Allah

After each good deed is completed, my child would track her performance by pasting the colorful squares onto the masjid template, that you can download and print. Ramadan Good Deed Chart- DOWNLOAD HERE. As the masjid starts filling up with colorful squares, your child will start to feel excited over her accomplishments this month!

For my wall: I downloaded Artsy Ummi’s Ramadan borders from here. I bought Artskills letters for about $5.00 from Rite Aid and some foam stickers for 99 cents. My child enjoyed peeling and pasting the stickers on the posters and jars.

Over all, this activity is quite a success as it kept my young toddler loving and remembering Ramadan daily. Every day she dips her hand in the Good Deeds jar, and finds out what her next task is. The best part about it is when she gets to dip her hands in the “Rewards Jar” and gets her sweet treat!

Artsy Ummi blogs

Summer’s over and we’re all heading back to school this month! This year, the excitement of starting school in a fresh, new class may actually be overshadowed by the anxious wait of Eid that is just around the corner. We may hardly get into the right spirit of school until we actually finish with our full blown Eid celebrations!

All over the country, Islamic school teachers are busy decorating their classrooms to fit the theme,  and create a sense of excitement for this special month that is about to end.

Here’s a Ramadan Bulletin Board I created for this very occasion. To print the borders you need about 3-4 pages or more if you’re planning on doing up a bigger bulletin board. DOWNLOAD HERE- Ramadan Border . The instructions for the rest is in the printable itself.

Happy decorating your classroom or homeschool walls!

Sister Alif blogs

The teachers during Ramadan are always faced with trying to make this blessed month special for their students and still meet the school’s academic standard. I decided to create Ramadan Journal for Grades 2-5. Teachers can use it for their students to enjoy the new school year with this Back-to-school Islamic Journal, and at the same time with meeting the curriculum standard for writing. Keeping a student portfolio on acquiring information and writing personal narratives are part of the standard 1 in NY State English Framework. This could be a jumpstart for more interesting writing on personal narratives. The downloadable templates make it easy for teachers to create the journal with their students which will cut the the project time in half. This can also be used by busy parents who want to make a Ramadan memory book with out the mess.

You can print and add photographs or your child can draw in it, and you can add extra photos on the blank page. Give it as a gift to your child the first few nights of Ramadan. Your child can fill it out through out the month. You can duplicate pages as many as you like, just staple it together at the end! If you want it to last longer, you can have it heat bound for 99 cents at Staples.

Eid is just around the corner! Hurry up and get the kids to fill in these easy to print Eid card templates.

Artsy Ummi blogs

Eid is just around the corner! Hurry up and get the kids to fill in these easy-to-print Eid card templates designed by our talented Sr Sadia Masroor. PS: Print on glossy card stock for that professional look!

Eid Card Template 1 DOWNLOAD HERE

Eid Card Template 1a DOWNLOAD HERE

Eid Card Template 2 DOWNLOAD HERE

Eid Card Template 3 DOWNLOAD HERE

Eid Card Template 4 DOWNLOAD HERE

You will find our previous Eid Card designs here

Artsy Ummi blogs

Islamic geometric patterns are so much fun to color. You can download them and have your children color them in all different patterns.

Islamic Geometric Patterns 1 DOWNLOAD HERE

Islamic Geometric Patterns 2 DOWNLOAD HERE

I have started the kids early this year- our big project is to create as many repeated patterns so we can paste them on card stock and create Eid cards for all of our friends and family. I figured any art work can be converted to a card, and I’ll have enough for everyone we know and just in time for Ramadan too!

Artsy Ummi blogs

I have designed some Eid cards for easy printing…download, print and place in an envelope! Let me know if there are any particular templates you all are looking for by leaving me a comment or email me at jannahsteps@gmail.com- give me specifics and I won’t mind making them for you! I will email you the template when I’m done Inshallah! Eid Mubarak everyone!

1 Eid Card DOWNLOAD HERE

2 Eid Card DOWNLOAD HERE

3 Eid Card Blue DOWNLOAD HERE

3 Eid Card Purple DOWNLOAD

4 Eid Card DOWNLOAD HERE

5 Eid Card DOWNLOAD HERE

Sr Alif blogs

ACTIVITY #9: GETTING READY IN MUZDALIFAH

On the night of 9th Dhul Hijjah (Day of Arafah), right after sunset the pilgrims leave to travel to a nearby open plain called Muzdalifah, halfway between Arafah and Mina. There they spend the night praying, and collecting small stone pebbles to be used the following day at the Jamaraat. The 3 pillars of Jamaraat represent Shaitan. The act of stoning the three pillars with the collected stones  is a reenactment of the story of Ibrahim (Alayhis Salaam).  He was on his way to obey Allah’s command to sacrifice his son Ismail (Alayhis Salaam) when Shaitan tried to stop him from obeying Allah’s commands. Ibrahim (Alayhis Salaam) resisted his temptation by pelting him with 7 stones each of the three times he showed up.

.Jamaraat Stones Worksheet DOWNLOAD HERE. Do the worksheet with your children after they have understood this concept. If your children are too young to grasp the concept of sacrifice, then teach them about Shaitan and how pelting the 3 pillars or Jamaraat represent Shaitan, and discuss how this may imply “pelting away” the bad thoughts or things Shaitan encourages us to do.

As Rasulallah (Sallahu Alayhi Wasalam) warned us in his final speech on the Day of Arafah, “Beware of Satan, for your safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.”

ACTIVITY #10: PREPARING FOR UDHIYAH / QURBANI

Eid is here….let’s prepare for the Udhiyah! Learn the ettiquette of Islamic Zabiha!

Design and make a poster of your own to display in your local Halal meat store before Eid ul Adha!! Help educate your community about the importance of following Islamic law on this special day! If you would rather not work from scratch, download our template instead: Template for Udhiyah- Qurbani DOWNLOAD HERE or print this: Empty Page Template with Animals DOWNLOAD HERE.

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, “There is a reward for doing good to all living creatures.” So let us make this day an occasion to earn Allah’s reward and to avoid the punishment of those who mistreat animals.

PS: The Etiquettes of Udhiyah poster was designed for Jannahsteps by Jazba, a group of ardent Muslimahs who strongly believe that Islam is the ‘backbone’ of  liberal women, providing  them the biggest support in terms of respect and rights. Jazba shares the responsibility of promoting peace and justice across the  world.  (Mashallah! May Allah help you succeed in everything you venture out to do for His sake. Ameen)

Hajj Countdown Links for the rest of the activities:

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-4-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-6-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-8-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-10-of-10/ 

8th day of Dhul-Hijjah has arrived….5-7 million Hajjis are making their way to Mina from Mecca!

Sr Alif blogs

ACTIVITY #7: 8th DAY OF DHUL HIJJA- WE’RE HEADING TO MINA!

8th day of Dhul-Hijjah has arrived! 5-7 million Hajjis are making their way to Mina from Mecca!

Mina is a small village east of the city. There they spend one day and one night in enormous tent cities praying hard, reading the Quran and resting for the next day.

Have your child do the worksheet. Mina Tent Worksheet- DOWNLOAD HERE. Cut and paste pictures of what Hajjis might need inside the tent of Mina. Discuss the things people might take with them when they go camping. Discuss the difficulties old people might endure living in such conditions. Why do you think old and weak people are motivated to get through the Hajj rituals? Also ponder on the thought that thousands of people have waited their entire lives saving for Hajj, many old people have done the same, and now Allah has given them a chance to make Hajj.

ACTIVITY #8: DAY OF ARAFAH

On the second day of the Hajj (9th Dhul Hijjah), the pilgrims leave Mina just after dawn to travel to the Plain of Arafah. On what is known as the “Day of Arafah” the pilgrims spend the entire day making duas. Muslims around the world who are not at the pilgrimage join them in spirit by fasting for the day. Our beloved Messenger (Sallahu Alayhi Wasalam) delivered his last speech on the Mount of Arafah on this day.

Help your children understand the importance of this day and think of what they may ask Allah on this special day. Arafah Dua Worksheet DOWNLOAD HERE

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-4-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-6-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-10-of-10/

Sr Alif blogs

ACTIVITY #5: WHAT SHALL I WEAR TO THE BIGGEST EVENT ON THE PLANET?

What do Hajjis wear when they go for Hajj? In this activity, children familiarize themselves with the unique hajj dress code. Cut these cute Muslim Popsicle puppets and allow children to pretend play as their Popsicle puppet buddies go on Hajj with them. Learn to recite the Talbiyah. Help children repeat the Talbiyah and memorize it. Ihram Puppets DOWNLOAD HERE

Extension Activity: Children love to dress up! Demonstrate with 2 pieces of white towels, how men must wear the Ihram. Allow girls to try out different hijabs and jilbabs or long dresses! Girls cannot cover their face during Hajj. Boys cannot wear anything on their heads during Hajj. Contemplate with them as to why these rules apply during Hajj. Help them understand why people from different walks of life (whether a King or a pauper) all come to Hajj and are viewed as equal in the eyes of Allah- the Hajj dress code only promotes this equality.

ACTIVITY #6: WE’RE IN AL KABA: “LABBAIK ALLAHUMMA LABAIK!”

What is the shape of the Kabah? What color is it? Do you know how to say that color in Arabic? How many doors or windows does the Kabah have? Does anyone live inside the Kabah? Who built the Kabah? These are some of the questions kids can be  asked. Journey along with them as they seek answers. Download the Kabah template and decorate it with gold paper strips or glitter glue.  Kaba Template DOWNLOAD HERE

Here are sample Kabahs made at Hamza School in New York by Preschoolers.

Older children can make a 3D model and do the following extension activity.

Extension Activity: Using online resources help your children learn about Al Kaba and find pictures that help them understand what the inside of the Kaba may look like. Also learn about the history of Al Kaba in the recent past. Understand what it may have looked like in the early 1900′s and compare it to images from today.

Hajj Countdown Links for the rest of the activities:

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-4-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-6-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-8-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-10-of-10/

Sister Alif blogs

ACTIVITY #3: ON A CAMEL, ON A PLANE, ON A SHIP…              WE’RE OFF TO MAKE OUR FIRST HAJJ TRIP!

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-6-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-8-of-10/

http://blog.jannahsteps.com/2009/11/hajj-countdown-10-hajj-activities-for-kids-10-of-10/