Whether it is through Islam From The Start’s AMAZING craft book (based on verses of the Qur’an), Islamic Values, or the lesson plans we produce for the Yasser and Zahra books, we believe in the importance of learning through art and craft!

Here’s our top FIVE ways your child can learn through art and craft:

  1. Make learning fun! There’s a limit to how much we can lecture our children about Islam. At some point, they need to DO something. Paint, scissors, stickers glue, and shiny paper are inherently exciting! If your child is busy making something that represents the lesson you are trying to teach them, you can extend the lesson and also have something to remember the lesson by. Hanging up the craft in your house will mean that you can refer back to it and use it as a reminder of what they have learnt!
  2. Create a shared learning experience: Getting crafty is the perfect opportunity for parent bonding! You get to spend quality time with your kids and at the same time, you are creating lifelong memories to cherish. While you are crafting together you have a chance to talk about what you are making and discuss different ideas and subject matters. You can talk about what you think, feel and care about. Even simple questions like “Why did you choose that colour?” or “What are you going to use for the eyes?” are ways to show your care and love as a parent. Through your interactions with your children, they also learn new vocabulary and when following verbal instructions, they can improve their listening skills.
  3. Help children express themselves – Art and craft enhances your child’s ability to explore, innovate, experiment, and think outside the box! An afternoon of junk modelling may seem like just a good way to recycle old cereal boxes, but through the process of creating art, your child can take their internal impulse and personal vision, and find ways to put it into form. Not only is this a great way for your child to express their feelings about their deen, this type of creativity is an essential skill your child will need throughout their lives.
  1. Promote feelings of relaxation and a sense of calm. I’m a great believer in art therapy. Even as an adult, I find doodling on the side of my page soothing. It is essential for your child to have time to go into their own world, away from screens and the busyness of life to use their imagination and tap into the calming power of art.
  1. Unlock problem solving skills. Art and craft also foster mental growth in children by providing opportunities for trying out new ideas, new ways of thinking and problem-solving. It provides opportunities for your child to imagine possible solutions and find different ways to approach problems. Lastly, making art is a great, safe way to discover that it’s okay to make mistakes and that getting things ‘wrong’ can lead you to a whole new idea.

Click here to find out more about Islamic Values