Resources for Families (Youth)

Your Masjid Al Salam’s Youth Team has compiled resources for all of our families, parents, caretakers, and youth-at-large during this pandemic precautionary measures.

Updated 4/17

Please check out the latest articles that have been released by nationally acclaimed psychologists and research.

  • Parenting during coronavirus - NYT vs WSJ by Dr. Leonard Sax (access here)
Naseeha

There is a silver lining. Imam Shafi rahimullah said: “A good company is better than being alone; however, being alone is better than being in a bad company.” 

We find ourselves doing as much as we can to keep our kids (and ourselves) always occupied with some activity. Though it is definitely necessary in certain circumstances; however, if our children (and us) never have any free time, it would be difficult for them to learn and be comfortable with a crucial (prophetic) skill, introspection, among others. 

The trait that separated the best and the honored ones (by Allah SWT) is now back on the shelves. So it’s okay 🙂 if they aren’t always occupied. Instead, we can relearn, together, how to utilize free time effectively, and the importance of introspection during that time for the rest of their lives. It would be like the person who the Prophet ﷺ said is a person of Jannah [hadith] because of nightly introspection and forgiveness to others! May Allah accept!

How-To

We recommend starting with one and assess how it goes. Please modify the approach, set realistic expectations, and let the youth be engaged while they commit to it!   

JAK for your consideration and may Allah make it beneficial for us all! The recommendations for the youth activities are as follows:

Resources for Elementary Youth

For this age group, we want them to stay curious, experimenting, interacting, learning, playing, and continue connecting all the dots back to one creator, Allah SWT!
  • Coloring the Names of Allah
    The younger ones can learn and connect with the name of Allah through Coloring the Names of Allah (files attached). It would require some translating (to an elementary level) of the words (using dictionary.com). This can be coupled with the following.

  • Documentaries on Nature
    “Planet Earth” type documentaries on YouTube (click here), Netflix (search for Earth) or any other medium you have access to. The purpose is to create a visual story as proven by research that we memorize facts better with stories (e.g. Qur’an). Also, please feel free to get creative. If we are talking about Al Ghafoor, show videos on mercy from The Dodo channel on Youtube or Bi Phakathi Page on Facebook. It connects with the hadith of 1 of 100 parts.

  • Replication of Routine
    Also, your salawat (prayers) with them, and the recitation of the qur’an, even if they just watch you do it on Fridays for Surah Al Kahf etc… has a major impact. As the evidence suggests, they will replicate your routine and get attached with those actions.

  • Tales from Around the World
    Lastly, we welcome the elementary youth to attend our elementary halaqa via Zoom on Tuesdays insha’Allaah. For more information, please visit our website event page.
Stories for Youth [Audible]:
  • The audible (click here) audiobook service from Amazon is offering a free subscription to their short stories catalog. We encourage our youth to hear at least two stories every week. This will establish a familiarity with the audiobook platform, and would enhance their vocabulary and world view. We encourage watching this video of Pres. Obama talking about the Dr. Seuss stories and its education towards community/world leadership. (NowThis)
Additional Academic Resources:
These are selected self-explanatory resources available. We recommend choosing a maximum of 1-2 so we don’t get overwhelmed.  All these are free resources unless specified.
  • Virtual Museum Tours [click here]
  • Khan Academy Kids App (2-7yrs old) [click here]
  • PBS Teacher and Student Resources [click here]
  • Scholastic Learn at Home, Day-to-Day Projects [click here]
  • Storybooks Animated by Vooks [$4.99/mo.]  [click here]
  • Homeschooling Blog for Additional Resources [click here]
  • Fun Reading & Math by Reading Eggs [30-trial]  [click here]
Home Projects:

These projects are interactive and exciting to work on. They also allow our youth and us to interact with nature firsthand. This is crucial as stated by Dr. Sax PhD., and their connection with the verses in the qur’an. Their connection with the verses would strengthen. They would relate to the signs of Allah (nature) as they interacted with it.

Additional Resources:

These are selected self-explanatory resources available. We recommend choosing a maximum of 1-2 so we don’t get overwhelmed.  All these are free resources unless specified.

Resources for Middle School Youth

For this age group, we want them to experiment, communicate, learn, push the boundaries, and continue connecting all the dots back to one creator and the creation!
  • Wise Tales - Stories of the Prophets:
    We are offering our Wise Tales - Stories of the Prophets halaqah via Zoom on Wednesday. It is open to all middle school youth and above. [click here]

  • Sound Faith - A Middle School Halaqa:
    We will be covering four modules: Islam in 2020; Allah’s Mercy Prevails Wrath; The World of Unseen; Hereafter: Life in Paradise!. [click here]

  • Documentaries on Nature
    “Planet Earth” type documentaries on YouTube (click here), Netflix (search for Earth) or any other medium you have access to. The purpose is to create a visual story as proven by research that we memorize facts better with stories (e.g. Qur’an). Also, please feel free to share the videos from Elem. Youth selection as it would promote empathy and mercy towards less fortunate: The Dodo channel on Youtube or Bi Phakathi Page on Facebook.

  • Replication of Routine
    Also, your salawat (prayers) with them, and the recitation of the qur’an, even if they just watch you do it on Fridays for Surah Al Kahf etc… has a major impact. As the evidence suggests, they will replicate your routine and get attached with those actions.
Stories for Youth [Audible]:
The audible (click here) audiobook service from Amazon is offering a free subscription to their short stories catalogue. We encourage our youth to hear at least two stories every week. This will establish a familiarity with the audiobook platform, and would enhance their vocabulary and world view. I encourage watching this video of Pres. Obama talking about the Dr. Seuss stories and its education towards community/world leadership. (NowThis)

Additional Academic Resources:
These are selected self-explanatory resources available. We recommend choosing a maximum of 1-2 so we don’t get overwhelmed.  All these are free resources unless specified.
These are selected self-explanatory resources available. We recommend choosing a maximum of 1-2 so we don’t get overwhelmed.  All these are free resources unless specified.
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Flashback: Highlights 2019