Tips for Parents to Present Ramadan in your Child's Class

by Anonymous

Parents talking to their children's principals,
teachers and classmates in public schools about
Ramadan is of immense importance.

By doing so, Muslim children feel less awkward
identifying themselves as Muslims, since someone
in an authority position has discussed what they
believe what they do.

As a result, the children often feel more
confident and secure. As well, Muslim children
need to feel the importance of their own
celebrations and holidays, especially since we
are living in a non-Muslim environment where
kids don't see fancy lights and decorations,
commercial hoopla or consistent reminders of the
"holiday season" during Ramadan.

And of course, talking to your child's class
about Ramadan is a great way to make Dawa to
non-Muslim kids and Muslim kids as well, in
particular those who may come from non-practicing
Muslim families.

There are a couple of tips to keep in mind when
approaching the school or your child's teachers
about presenting, as well as for how you present
the information to the child's class.


Tip #1: Start early

Calling your child's teacher in the middle of
Ramadan asking to do a presentation on the topic
is too late. Now, less than a month before

Ramadan is the best time to bring up the issue,
especially considering Christmas is coming up
and holidays are on the minds of most people,
teachers and students included.

Starting early also helps you think about and
gather the right materials to make a good
presentation.

Tip #2: Get permission from your child's teacher

While parents do have a lot of clout in the
school system, this does not allow them to show
up unexpectedly one day at their son or
daughter's class to do a presentation on Ramadan.

Send a letter giving a general indication
that you want something done about Ramadan. Then
wait for the teacher to call. If he or she does
not do so within a week, call them and tell them
you are following up on the letter you sent
earlier.

Tip #3: Select the right period in which to do
the presentation

Does your child study Social Studies? Or does he
or she have a period once a week for Moral and
Religious education? If so, suggest to the
teacher that you would like to do the
presentation during these periods.

Or, you can of course ask the teacher if he or
she has ideas about which time would be best
to come in and do the presentation.

Tip #4: Be polite but firm

Speaking nicely to people is part of our Deen,
including non-Muslims. We should remember that
the purpose of this exercise is to not just
educate the students, but the teachers as well.

Being polite and courteous will not detract from
your desire to present. It will serve to build
bridges and communication, and could lead to
further contact to do presentations on other
Islam-related topics and more teacher-parent
cooperation in the future, Insha Allah.

Tip #5: Ask the teacher what areas to cover and
how long it should be

This helps to adjust your presentation to the
age level of the students, as well as connect it
to what they are already learning.

This doesn't mean you can't bring in other
information, but knowing what to cover from the
teacher helps you put down what has to be
covered and from there you can develop more
points on these or related topics.

Asking how long the presentation should be can
also help you decide how much you can include in
your presentation.

Tip #6: Read, prepare, read, prepare

Now that you've gotten the permission, you don't
just sit back and wait for the night before the
presentation to put it together.

Remember, if you want to appeal to the students,
especially younger ones, you are going to need
more than just a talk.

Visuals are a great help. You can get a Ramadan
banner pictures of Muslims fasting, show part of
a video aimed at children about Ramadan.

To get the right material, you will have to find
out where to get it from, and ordering it might
take a couple of weeks.

Preparing is important, even though you may have
fasted all of your life and think you know all
about Ramadan. Get a children's Islamic
book and read what it says about Ramadan.

Or an article written by a teenager about
Ramadan. This will also help you understand what
points to emphasize in your presentation.

Reading up will also clarify any incorrect
cultural norms that may have seeped into the
practice of Ramadan which you may not have been
aware of.

Talk to a knowledgeable Muslim for advice as
well.

Tip #7: Talk to your son or daughter about the
presentation

Who would know better the mind set of the kids
in the class than your son or daughter? Consult
them about what to include, what the kids like,
what kind of things they are interested in.

Not only will this improve your presentation,
Insha Allah, but it will also make Ameena or
Saeed feel important and more confident as
individuals, and as Muslims.

Tip #8: A few days before the presentation

Call the teacher to check the date and time of
the schedule.

This will serve to remind him or her about your
visit and prepare the class accordingly.

It will also help you get the exact time and
date.


Tip #9: Write presentation points on note cards

Reading off papers about Ramadan will not hold
the interest of many people, young or old.

Instead, writing brief notes on note cards that
you can look at so you don't miss any topic will
help you avoid straying from the subject while
allowing you to make eye contact with your
audience and maintain a conversational style of
presentation.

Tip #10: Practice your presentation in front of
your son/daughter

Practicing helps you identify what can be
improved, changed or omitted.

Practicing in front of Ameena will give you the
opportunity to present before one of the kids in
the class who can really give you the best
advice.

It will also help you time your presentation,
so you can make it shorter or longer.

Tip #11: Dress for success

This does not mean pulling out the Armani suit
or the most expensive dress you have.

It just means looking as a Muslim should-clean,
respectable, professional and Islamically
covered. Clothes don't always "make the man"
but they do affect others' perception of you.

Tip #12: Be early

Teachers and students are busy people. They have
a certain curriculum to cover. The fact that
they've squeezed in your presentation is
somewhat of a privilege.

Don't take advantage of this by wasting their
time by coming late. And anyways, Muslims should
be on time as a principle.

Coming early can also help you set up our audio
visual material.

Tip #13: Make Dua...

before your presentation. Ask Allah to help you
convey this message sincerely, properly and
clearly.

And say Bismillah.

Tip #14: Speak calmly and clearly

It's important not to race through the
presentation, nor to talk too slowly.

A clear, conversational style, but emphasis on
the major points or terms you want the students
to understand can help convey the message
properly.

Tip #15: When answering questions

If you don't know something, say so. Then check
up on it and get back to the teacher. Ask him or
her to convey the response.

Tip #16: Thank Allah...

for this opportunity He blessed you with and
your ability to go through with it.

Tip #17: Send a thank you note to the teacher
and class...

thanking them for their time and attention, as
well as their cooperation.





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