Are you are a mother who is not a native Arabic speaker, yet you want to help your child learn the Arabic language? The struggles are real and I hear you! Maybe you’re a native Arabic speaker who is looking for resources to help her child have a firm grasp in the Arabic language. If this sounds all too familiar than this post is for you!

As  Muslims, we all know the importance of learning Arabic, and since we always want what is best for our children, we try to look for ways for our children to achieve this goal. However, we tend to focus more on reading and writing Arabic than we do on comprehension and speaking. It is really not enough to just read the Quran in Arabic, we have to emphasize on reflecting on its verses. We can read translations all we want, but wouldn’t it be much better if we instantaneously understood the Quran every time we heard it?

I am sure this is a gift every one of us would love to give to their children. It is one I have been trying to give to my kids since they were born. Yet, as a non-native Arabic speaker, I struggled to achieve this goal. I have not given up though and neither should you.

Tips on Helping your Child to Learn Arabic:

  1. If possible, work on your own Arabic first, so you can teach your child whatever you have already learned. Even if you know only a few words, try to incorporate that as much as possible in your interactions with your child. If you are a native Arabic Speaker, try to force yourself to speak Fusha with your children. Note- you can still speak in your dialect, but your child should also have exposure to the Fusha language.

  2. Help your child build the basics first.  You can use  free resources with curriculum such as Al Qaaidah Nuuraniya to help your child with Quranic Arabic and tajweed as it comes complete with CD’s and you can also purchase flashcards and posters.

  3. Read stories to your child in Arabic often, as children naturally love stories. If you can’t read Arabic well, get books that come with CD’s. I found a great series at an unbeatable price called the Kareem Series that come with its CD’s. My children use it daily as part of their morning homeschooling routine and inshaAllah I will write a review on it.

  4. Learn and sing Arabic nursery rhymes to your child often. This is an especially effective technique for toddlers and younger children. If your child has already learned nursery rhymes in English, find its Arabic equivalent, or have an Arabic Speaker help you to translate one. Since your child is already familiar with the content of the rhyme, it will help with understanding of the Arabic version tremendously.

  5. If your children watch cartoons, try letting them watch it Arabic only! Even if they don’t understand it yet, eventually they will figure it out. I have tried this and can attest that it does work!

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