Alumdulillah, Eid is just around the corner. As we enter the last 3 days of Ramadan I can’t help but feel that this blessed month goes by faster and faster every year. Nonetheless, I’m excited for Eid and the joy that this special day brings with it.
As we decorate our homes, prepare our new clothes and wrap presents for our loved ones, it’s also important to remember the Sunnah acts of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and to pass these on to our children.
This year, I’ve created a poster which runs through the Sunnah acts of Eid al Fitr so that little ones can easily learn the step by step routines of this special day. I’ve also made these available in routine card format, so that children can practice putting them into the correct order, using them as flash cards, or whatever way they find best for learning.
As the first quarter of 2022 has come to a close, I wanted to share my top 5 Montessori-inspired products which have been game-changers for me and Jamila. These products are all parent and toddler approved, thoroughly tried and tested, and things which I wish I had discovered earlier.
Jamila is now 19 months old, Alhumdulillah. She’s a full blow walking, talking, toddler who is full of curiosity, endless energy, and discovery. The items below are one’s which she has constantly reached out for over the last 3 months or longer, and which have supported her in her development.
Library Card
The best thing I did for Jamila this quarter was to make her a library card. We go to the library together once a week and choose a couple of new books to take home with us. This way she doesn’t get bored of her books, and we don’t need to worry about storing all of them! It’s also completely free, and a really fun trip together.
Child’s Table and Chairs
We brought Jamila this set from Wayfair, but there are plenty of similar sets out there at various price ranges. I love this one because it has in-built storage. Jamila sits here to have her snacks, play with her crayons, and have tea parties with her toys.
Cleaning Set
I fell in love with this cute little cleaning set as soon as I saw it, and so did Jamila. She uses it to mop up after she’s spilled some water, and even uses the pan and brush set to pick up any fallen crumbs after eating. It’s a pretend play set, but I find it easy to clean and a great way to teach children to care for their environment.
My First Words Book
This book was a game-changer a few months ago when Jamila really started to use her words. It’s got real pictures in it rather than drawings, so it’s easy for her to correlate them with household items. She can now say the names of almost all of the items in the book, and still reaches for it time and time again.
Toddler Trainers
Any parent knows the struggle of trying to find trainers for toddlers which are comfortable, affordable, and still look cute. These ones are under £20, soft but sturdy, and come in a range of colours and sizes. Jamila wears hers every day, and they’ve been great on grass, concrete, and uneven surfaces. They also wipe clean quite easily and are breathable, so I’m sure they can be used when the weather warms up, too.
The Kitchen is one of Jamila’s favourite rooms in the house, and we aimed to set up the space in Montessori style – somewhere which is practical, accessible and encourages independence. Everything was designed with her in mind, so it’s all at her level and easy for her to grab whatever she needs.
I spent a long time researching toy kitchens, as the space we have is quite small and we wanted to make the most of it. I knew that I wanted something with storage, so that we could keep Jamila’s plates and cutlery at her level to make them easily accessible to her. I also wanted somewhere that she could hang up her apron, chef’s hat and bib’s. After days of research, I finally settled on this one and I’m so pleased with it!
We store all of Jamila’s plates and cups in the storage section, so she takes them out herself at meal times. She understands the difference between ‘bowl’, ‘plate’, ‘fork’, and ‘spoon’, so it’s a great way to encourage her to use the words as well as choose the corresponding items.
On top of the kitchen, we left the pots and pans which came with the set, and she uses these for pretend play while I’m cooking – unless she’s helping me to cook, which is one of her favourite activities. She especially loves mixing and choosing vegetables at the moment. We also keep a cup on top of her kitchen set, where we store all of her cutlery.
Beside her kitchen, I loved the idea of a chalk board for her to write on. At the moment we’re using it as a menu just for fun, but as she’s older she might want to write down recipes, draw, and use the space more creatively. This one is great because you can simply stick it on to a surface and peel it off when you want to.
Beside her kitchen unit, we attached a set of pegs to the wall where she hangs up her bibs, chefs hat and apron. Underneath, we store a basket with wooden fruit and vegetables for pretend play.
As well as the kitchen set, I also brought Jamila a set of cleaning items, because she loves mopping, sweeping and wiping! This has been one of my favourite purchases for Jamila as she absolutely loves using it.
Alhumdulillah, I’m so pleased with the way that the kitchen turned out. It’s a great little space which combines the best of practical life and pretend play, and is proof that you don’t need a tonne of space to set up your home in the Montessori style.
With Ramadan just 2 weeks away, I thought I’d share some activities that Jamila and I have been doing to prepare for the holy month. As a toddler, it will be years before she begins fasting but there are other ways for her to get involved and to learn about the importance of Ramadan.
I’ve split the below activities into sections aligned with Montessori concepts; Practical Life, Care for Environment, Books and Arts and Crafts.
Practical Life
Prepare Iftar and Suhoor Meals – This could be as simple as mixing, turning the oven on, or choosing fruit and vegetables to include.
Donate Old Toys and Books – If you’ve got a pile of toys or books which your little one isn’t using any more, this is the best time to give to charity.
Create Gift Hampers – Every year before Ramadan, I like to create gift hampers for my family and friends including dates and olive oil. Getting your little one involved is a great way to pass on the tradition.
Care For Environment
Create a Prayer Corner – Creating a new environment with a prayer mat and some simple decorations is a great way to make Ramadan fun and get the creative juices flowing.
Clean the House – Toddlers love to copy their parents, and cleaning is one of the activities that they enjoy most! I like to give Jamila a clean sponge and a spray bottle filled with water. She wipes windows and surfaces, and even has her own little mop and brush.
Books
It’s Ramadan, Curious George – by H A Rey and Hena Khan
I Say Alhumdulillah – by Noor H Dee and Iput
The Proudest Blue – by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S K Ali
Arts and Crafts
Make Ramadan Mubarak Cards – Jamila loves colouring! We recently brought her some crayons and stickers which we’ve been using to make cards. Family and friends will be overjoyed to receive these little gifts.
Decorate the House – Whether it’s hanging up some paper moons or making bunting, decorating the house for Ramadan can really help to emphasise that something special is coming and get the family excited for the month ahead.
Draw a Masjid – Something I loved doing as a child! For Jamila, I’d draw a basic outline which she can colour in. It doesn’t have to be a work of art, as long as they have fun with it.
To make things easier and more visual for children, I’ve put these ideas together in a printable Ramadan Activities Poster:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.” – Quran 2:183
As Salaamu Alaykum! It’s been a while since I last updated this blog. With Ramadan around the corner I felt that this was the best time to renew my intentions and re-prioritise my life.
Alhumdulillah, Jamila is now a full blown toddler. At 18 months old, she’s full of beans and in constant need of attention, so I’m expecting this Ramadan to be a little more exhausting than previous years! Nonetheless, I’m determined to use the time wisely and come out of it with stronger faith and renewed focus, inshaAllah.
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day of raising a child, but this precious month is so important for us as parents to re-consider how we are spending our time as well as what we focus our energy on. Jamila is still too young to understand the concept of Ramadan and she won’t be fasting for many years, but there are other ways that we can demonstrate the importance of this holy month to our children.
I’ve always believed that the best thing you can do for your child is to role model the behaviours that you want them to have, and no religion emphasises the importance of good character more than Islam. Therefore this Ramadan my goal is to work on perfecting the characteristics which I want to pass on to my children.
“The best amongst you are those who have the best manners and character.” – Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol. 4, Book 56, Hadith 759
I hope that this Ramadan brings you all peace and immense blessings – that our faith is renewed and refreshed, and that we emerge on the other side closer to Allah. Ameen.
Most Montessori parents will tell you that screen time is a no-no until your child reaches at least the age of 3. Prior to this, children go through rapid brain development – discovering how to use their hand-eye co-ordination, how to walk, talk, and play. They explore the world using their hands and through investigating new things, and excessive time spent watching screens can hinder this development.
These days, it’s hard to avoid screens altogether and personally I don’t mind if Jamila participates in a video call with family, or occasionally clicks away on the keyboard in my husbands home office. What we want to avoid is passive screen time. That is, time spent watching mindless TV or playing games on an iPad. But with so many battery operated toys and child-oriented marketing around, how can we foster a screen-free environment? Here are five simple ideas to keep your little ones busy in a way that encourages brain development and exploration.
1. Take Them Outside
This one simple, but very effective. I take Jamila out for a walk almost every day, and she loves to look around and interact with the people, animals and things that we see on the way. If walking isn’t your thing, try having a picnic in your back garden, taking them to a park with swings and slides, or doing some gardening with them. The fresh air will do you and your little one a world of good.
2. Let Them Participate
This is one of Jamila’s favourites. I offer Jamila the opportunity to participate in whatever it is that I’m doing – as long as it’s safe, of course. Children learn by doing and love to experience the things that they see us do every day. Jamila loves helping me to organise the laundry, wiping surfaces, and even chooses her own outfit each morning! By observing your child you can learn what they’re interested in, and what they’d like to try out.
3. Choose Toys Wisely
I choose which toys will populate Jamila’s shelf based on her current habits. Toddlers tend to want to master one thing at a time – for example putting shapes into holes, counting, or pulling. Just like adults, they rarely want to do everything all at once. The same concept applies to toys. Give them toys which stimulate the skills that they are currently mastering, and they are much more likely to keep themselves occupied with them for a longer period of time. When you find that they’re not interacting with a certain toy as much, swap it out for something more catered to their current interests.
4. Give Them Interactive Books
Books are a great way to keep toddlers busy, and can really aid their development. Jamila loves reading and being read to, but that doesn’t mean that we as parents need to sit with her and read aloud for hours. By giving her interactive books with flaps, textures and sliders, we can encourage independence as well as interactive play. Some of my favourite books are listed in this previous post.
5. Structure Your Day
I love a plan, and I usually know roughly what I’ll be doing before each day starts. By planning activities and structuring your day, you can limit your child’s screen time as you’ll have less of those ’empty’ spaces in your day to fill. I try to make loose plans around what Jamila will be doing – for example, we go out for a walk at roughly the same time each day, we dedicate some time to independent play, story time, and she has a wind-down routine for an hour before bed. You don’t need to be super rigid with the timings, as toddler’s moods can be quite temperamental(!), but use it more as a guideline of activities to do each day.
By using these methods we’ve managed to avoid passive screen time, and hope that you and your families will also benefit from these, InshaAllah.
Abu Huraira reported that The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. Adam was created on Friday and on it he entered Paradise and on it he was expelled from therein. The Hour will not be established but on Friday.” – Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 854
Friday (Jummah) is a blessed day for Muslims in many ways, and so it’s no surprise that it has some special routines which the Prophet ﷺ would perform weekly on this day.
Teaching our children about the Sunnah is fundamental to an Islamic upbringing, and completing a checklist of Sunnah routines on a weekly basis is a great reminder for our children, as well as us, to incorporate these into our everyday lives.
My Jummah Routine poster makes this so much easier. With simple infographics, children will find it much easier to integrate the routines into their lives.
Alhumdulillah, our baby completed her first trip around the sun last week. I can’t believe how fast the year went, but at the same time it’s hard to imagine that she didn’t exist a year ago. Parenthood has been a journey and we still have a long way to go, but there is no doubt that children are one of the greatest blessings that Allah could bestow upon a person.
As Jamila was born during a global lockdown, she didn’t get to spend as much time with her family as we would have wanted this year. Now that lockdown has lifted, we wanted to celebrate her existence with the people who love her most, so we organised a little at-home party with close family members. The theme was sunshine, of course – because she’s our Noor. 🙂
I decided to make the cake myself. The first step was to scroll through pages on Pinterest and Etsy to gain some inspiration, and I eventually decided on funfetti layers on the inside for an explosion of colour, with a little Jamila made of fondant on top. I also made a banner with her name on it, and gave the fondant baby a giant strawberry as these are her favourite fruit.
I also made the decorations. I brought a bunch of craft materials from Hobbycraft a few months ago and have been using them ever since! I really enjoyed creating these and they were surprisingly easier and less time consuming than I had imagined. I loved the idea of a balloon arch, so I brought a kit from Amazon and blew all 100 balloons myself – without a pump. Surprisingly my lungs did quite well but my fingers ached from tying all of the balloons! Not the best planning there, but it was so worth it. We have some really beautiful pictures of the family thanks to this backdrop.
I also created a photo wall with pictures of Jamila’s first year, including one of her with each of the guests. They all left messages for Jamila on the backs and I’ve saved them for her to read when she grows up, InshaAllah.
The food table was a mix of various platters – fruit, mezze, bread and meats. I made almost everything myself and although this was a lot of effort, it was something I wanted to do as I really enjoy cooking for my loved ones. I’m so glad that I went for platters, because the food looked stunning on the table and everyone could pick out what they wanted rather than having a sit-down meal or one particular type of cuisine.
Alhumdulillah, the day was perfect and I couldn’t have asked for anything better than spending it with family. Ultimately we were all there to celebrate Jamila – my little love, and her first year of life. I thank Allah for blessing me with the honour of being her mother. May Allah protect our children and make them a source of light in our lives, always. Ameen!
In my last post, I mentioned that we like to rotate Jamila’s books every week or so to keep things interesting for her, and the same goes for toys too. By rotating her toys and books, we ensure that she has a good mix of materials which support the area that she is currently working on mastering .
Toy rotation is not only great for the child but for us parents too, as it keeps clutter to a minimum. You’re also much less likely to step on a Lego piece as you’re making your way to your third cup of coffee for the day.
Research has proven that when toddlers are given fewer choices of toys, their interactions with them are more meaningful and engaging. Montessori encourages a minimalist approach when it comes to toys, with a maximum of 6-8 being placed on display at any given time. This does not mean that you should deprive your child of toys, obviously. Just put the ones currently not in use into storage and bring them out again in the next toy rotation.
The first step of toy rotation is observing your child. What are they currently mastering, and how? If for example, your child is enjoying putting things into baskets and taking them out again, you may want to offer them a shape sorter. If they’re enjoying stacking things or making piles, give them some building bricks or stacking rings to support this. If they’re shaking their toys or banging them on the floor, on you, and on everything they can possibly hit them on, give them a bell or a rattle.
I like to mix things up on Jamila’s shelf, so I’ll give her a few toys for the current area that she is mastering, as well as a few others which she is enjoying just to keep things interesting. When she looses interest or hasn’t reached for a toy in a few days, I swap it out with something new. This way, her shelf stays fresh and interesting for her, and it also gives me the opportunity to donate any toys which she has outgrown.
The same goes for books. If I’m reading her a particular book and notice her squirming and trying to escape every time, I know that it needs swapping with something more interesting or relevant to her.
Toy and book rotation is a simple concept really, and I’ve found that it really helps Jamila to focus and concentrate. By observing your child and giving them what they need rather than giving them absolutely everything all at once, you allow them to really engage and master one thing at a time, and ultimately in this environment they thrive.
My Jamila is an avid reader, and loves nothing more than story time with her Ami and Abu. We introduced books to her when she was just a couple of months old and although she didn’t understand them, she’s always enjoyed the process of flicking through the pages and looking at the pictures.
As Jamila is just about to turn 1, I’ve compiled a list of books which have been the cornerstones of her first year. These are books which she has read consistently, which have provided her with hours of entertainment and are recommended purely based on her interaction with them. I’ve divided the books into groups to make things easier to navigate – interactive books, learning, short reads and longer reads. Although keep in mind that when I say ‘longer reads’, I’m talking less than 6 minutes. These are babies we’re reading to, after all.
Interactive Books
1. Rabbits Nap by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler
One of Jamila’s all-time favourites. This was a gift from my sister Safia, and one of the first books that Jamila used to learn how to lift the flaps. At just 6 months, she was lifting all of them perfectly mashaAllah.
2. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell
A Classic, and one that I grew up with myself! This book is a great way for children to learn the names of different animals. I would love to take Jamila to the Zoo and see which ones she can remember.
3. Tickle My Ears by Jorg Muhle
This book is a great all-rounder – short, sweet, and lots of fun! Each page has an instruction for your child on it, such as ‘tickle rabbits ears’ or ‘fluff his pillow’. A word of warning though – your baby will want to read this repeatedly, at least 5 or 6 times!
4. Peekaboo Bear by Camilla Reid and Ingela P Arrhenius
This book is a joy to look at, and I love the unique sliders used instead of the usual flaps. The last page has a hidden mirror which also makes for great entertainment as the child has an unexpected ‘peekaboo!’ moment.
5. Gruffalo, Where are You? by Julia Dondalson and Alex Scheffler
A simplified take on the classic, this one is especially good for 6 months and below, as the flaps are made of soft felt which won’t tear or poke little fingers.
Books for Learning
1. I Say Alhumdulillah by Noor H Dee and Iput
This is probably Jamila’s favourite book of them all. She laughs hysterically every time the main characters sneeze, although the entire series is brilliant and such a great way to teach our children commonly used Islamic phrases. You may think that 1 year is too early to start, but you’d be surprised at how smart toddlers are.
2. TouchThinkLearn: ABC by Xavier Deneux
Jamila is too young to learn her ABC’s, but this book has still provided hours of entertainment as each page has a vibrant, minimalist image relating to its corresponding letter, as well as indented features which she loves to touch. I’m sure that this will aide her learning for months to come, inshaAllah.
3. Flora: A Botanical Pop-up Book by Yoojin Kim, Nicole Yen and Kathryn Selbert
This is the most beautiful book that Jamila owns. With it’s interactive pop-up display of flowers, birds, and greenery, it’s simply a visual masterpiece. I used this a lot during Jamila’s first months, as she loved to look at the pop-up images. As she grew and started to grab and pull things, I’ve put it away but will be bringing it back out in a few months.
Short Reads
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
A classic – No children’s book shelf would be complete without it. This was one of the first books we introduced to Jamila and to this day, it is still one of her favourites. A word of warning though – if your little one is anything like mine they will probably get their fingers stuck in the holes at some point.
2. I Love You to the Moon and Back by Tim Warnes
This one is great for snuggling up – Jamila loves to read this with her Abu as part of her bed time routine. It’s short and sweet, with beautiful images that your little one will enjoy looking at. It’s also quite emotive and I’m sure I’ll be tearing up reading this as Jamila grows older!
Longer Reads
1. The Gruffalo/ The Gruffalos Child by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler
Another classic that everyone knows and loves. Jamila loves the original, but not as much as it’s sequel – The Gruffalos Child. The ‘Aha! Oho!’ moments always put a smile on her face and I’d even go as far as saying it’s better than The Gruffalo.
2. Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
This is the ultimate bed time book. It’s illustrations are beautiful and the story is timeless. Another gift from my sister when Jamila was born, this was one of her first books and probably my favourite of the lot. It’s just perfect.
3. Elmer by David McKee
I grew up reading Elmer and so did my husband, Muneer. This is a story that celebrates what makes us unique, and I love that. Jamila loves the part where Elmer shouts ‘BOO!’ and laughs hysterically every time. It’s the longest read of this list, but is still no longer than 6 minutes, so it’s perfect for pre-nap story time.
4. The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr
This quirky read is a bit of a strange one, but a classic nonetheless. The illustrations are unique in the sense that they are visibly hand drawn, yet engaging and colourful. Its unlike any of the other stories in this list but it’s one that will withstand the test of time.
Jamila’s book shelf is always growing and I like to swap around the books in her shelf on a weekly basis to keep things interesting for her (and us!). I usually mix fiction and non-fiction books to encourage creativity as well as learning, and use the longer reads before bed time or naps as part of her sleep routine.
I hope that you found this list useful! Happy Reading 🙂
Montessori Muslim 