The Revelation: Guidance for Life
As well as we encourage children to have faith in reason and in utilizing scientific experience to answer many of challenging problems in their life; to build the base of morality value, they should have a faith in the authority of revelation. Reason and sensory experience alone were not enough to build this very fundamental aspect. As for the reason we live, the motive of our being in this world all are mystery. On this point we should humble ourselves and accept the fact we are just tiny creatures in this miraculous universe, then receive what the Creator has told us to act trough the revelation brought by the Messenger.
That is why we should introduce al-Qur’an to our Muslim children as soon as possible. Even before they were born, it is a good idea to have them hear the recitation, be it the when the mother reads the Qur’an, or by dad as well as the other family member, or just recording of several verses. Make the children hear it often and familiar with it and try to pronounce, memorize, and then learn to read it in the proper way (using the tajweed) once they grow up.
However, the main challenge is to teach children that the Qur’an is kind of a compass that shows them direction in life. The Qur’an along with the hadeeth, navigate them to walk accordingly to the path of God and the Messenger. The purpose is that in every single time they desire to act on something, they will always ask themselves first, “Is it forbidden, or not. What does the Messenger told us about this?” Simply stated, they should always entitle the motive of every act according to the God’s command. Also, to be noted by parents, make them witness that the Qur’an is live among them. Let them watching the people around them practising the Qur’an and Sunnah in daily life.
Sense of Art and Beauty
It is natural that human have a potential inclination to beauty. It is also important to nurture the inclination since early stage of life. Thus in the realm that art is really important subject for children to learn for them build a healthy mental state and emotion, as well as giving the children many options to express their intention and creativity, Muslim parents will pay attention to choose only the permissible form of art and culture in general. Having fun with enjoying art wasn’t haraam, it just that what is often excused as “culture” was not allowed to contradict the Islamic values.
However, we shape the perception of aesthetics by how we see the world around and ourselves in such a specific way. It is true that the aesthetic sense is individual taste whatsoever, but the guideline that Islam has provide give the Muslim a common perception about acceptance of something aesthetical, e.g. the prohibition of creating anthropomorphic images.
Titus Burckhardt, an art philosopher once said: "The absence of icons in Islam has not merely a negative but a positive role. By excluding all anthropomorphic images, at least within the religious realm, Islamic art aids man to be entirely himself. Instead of projecting his soul outside himself, he can remain in his ontological centre where he is both the viceregent (khalîfa) and slave ('abd) of God. Islamic art as a whole aims at creating an ambience which helps man to realize his primordial dignity; it therefore avoids everything that could be an 'idol', even in a relative and provisional manner. Nothing must stand between man and the invisible presence of God. Thus Islamic art creates a void; it eliminates in fact all the turmoil and passionate suggestions of the world, and in their stead creates an order that expresses equilibrium, serenity and peace."
Physical Activity
In line with nurturing mental aspects of children’s life, we should also train their physical strength and agility. The messenger told us to teach the children riding horses, swimming, and archery. Besides the literal meaning, that there is a need in mastering riding vehicles, swimming, and armouring, in general it is important to have some physical exercise for children to maintain their health. Training in physical science also paves the way into a healthy physical state, as well as a good eating habit, etc. Thus, they will be fit to do much activity without any burden.
Beside that, to develop their good manners in social activity, maybe we can elaborate physical educations into sports that is not just about develop physical abilities, but also puts one in win-lose conditions, struggle to achieve goals, teamwork, etc. Furthermore, it also teach how to--sometimes-- accepting defeat. Parents can guide them to take lessons from their defeat and how to improve their qualities to perform better the next time. They will learn to aim a goal too. Those all are very important lesson for the kids.
The Method of Teaching
To children, daily life was wholly a game. They still cannot separate which time is to work (when there is expectation to be focused and serious) and which part to play (and be relaxed and amused). They all seriously focused in the amusement of playing and game, all day. Therefore, when we are educate them, in the very early days we had to make it seen as natural adventure and exploration. Far from engineered situation, that clearly shows who is subject and object of the education activity. It is further important for the teaching of values; it should force upon him from all sides by adults giving continuous and consistent examples.
In this stage of development, we give the examples more and instruct less. Wait until they start to distinguish good and bad by reason (tamyeez). Then, we could start reassemble the activities in way more serious and noticeable. Nevertheless, it remains important to consistently walk the walk not only talk the talk. In other words, practice what we preach, because children do what their parents do, not what they say.
We can manage some serial activities that combine several important subjects we discussed. For example, reading stories to children will both enhance their language skill and cherish their critical thinking when some philosophical discussion raise after the reading session. Sing along the walk in the garden will benefit the children in their physical condition, emotional state, sense of art, as well improving the language comprehension, etc.
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