Salam and Welcome to another blog post!
The sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) teaches us the importance of routine in our lives. In homeschooling, establishing a structured daily routine can make all the difference in creating a nurturing and effective learning environment for our children. Today, I want to delve into why having a morning, afternoon, and evening routine is crucial for homeschooling success, especially for mothers like us who are navigating this journey with love, dedication, and a desire to impart our values to our little ones.
Morning Routine: The Foundation of a Productive Day
- Time for Fajr and Reflection: Start your day with the remembrance of Allah (SWT) through Fajr prayer and reflection. This sets the tone for the day ahead.
- Breakfast and Morning Huddle: Gather your children for a wholesome breakfast and discuss the day's plan. This fosters a sense of responsibility and prepares them mentally for learning.
- Structured Learning Time: Begin your homeschooling sessions during the morning when children are fresh and eager to learn. Utilize this time for core subjects. We focus on Qaida, Quran, Maths, Reading and Writing.
Afternoon Routine: Sustaining Momentum
- Lunch and Dhuhr Prayer: Taking breaks (and snack times for the kids) prevents burnout. Us the salah times as anchors throughout the day and plan around them. Prepare for Dhuhr prayer. Invite your children to join you or share the virtues of salah before you pray. Encourage your children to help with meal preparation as a practical life skill.
- Hands-On Activities and Exploration: Depending on your energy and a routine that suits your family, allocate the afternoon for hands-on activities, science experiments, art projects, or outdoor exploration. This facilitates experiential learning and stimulates creativity. It also covers broader subjects such as Geography, History, Science, Art, Physical Education, etc.
- Individual Study Time: If your children are older than 5, assign independent study tasks or quiet reading time (I use screen time with learning apps and educational cartoons/shows) while you attend to household chores or personal tasks or even just me time. This instills self-discipline and time management skills in your children.
Evening Routine: Winding Down with Reflection
- Asr Prayer and Snack Time: Gather for Asr prayer and a light snack to rejuvenate after the day's activities. We have mosque evening classes, where my children study and I teach the older girls, Monday to Friday.
- Review and Reflection: However, after mosque time we spend a little time reviewing the day's lessons and have conversations but our day. Encourage your children to reflect on what they've learned and express gratitude.
- Family Bonding and Relaxation: Dedicate the evening to family bonding activities, such as storytelling, board games, or simply cuddling up and talking about your day. This ends the day in a positive note and makes cooperation easier. Honestly speaking, this requires me the most discipline as I need to put my phone away and give my children full attention. However, if I need some space and time to myself, particularly after teaching for 2 hours I take a break while my girls play. But after bedtime, that is when I have kid-free time to myself.
Why Routines Matter: Overcoming Common Challenges
- Time Effectiveness: A well-structured routine maximizes your time and ensures that all essential tasks are completed efficiently, leaving room for relaxation and personal fulfilment.
- Task Management: By breaking the day into manageable segments, you can tackle homeschooling, household chores, and self-care without feeling overwhelmed or scattered.
- Consistency and Stability: Routines provide a sense of stability and predictability for both you and your children, fostering a conducive learning environment and promoting emotional well-being.
At the end of the day, Homeschooling reflects real life, so there will be unplanned incidents or change of plans. Keeping to a routine makes it easier to fall back on even after some unstructured days.
Let's Embrace Routines Together Dear sisters, as we embark on this homeschooling journey, let's embrace the power of routines to cultivate a nurturing and enriching environment for our children. Let's support each other, share our experiences, and celebrate our progress, knowing that with dedication and Allah's guidance, we can provide our children with the best education tailored to their needs and our values.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. May Allah bless our efforts and grant us success in raising righteous and knowledgeable generations. Ameen.
With love and sisterhood, Radhia
Muslim homeschooling, routine in homeschooling, structured learning, homeschooling challenges, homeschooling support.
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