Good Finds!

Here are some of the new Resources I have found online to be useful. Hope this would benefit others as well Inshaa Allaah.

Hadeeth Snippets

Wonderful site for kids as well as adults to learn Hadeeth in Arabic and English with the audio. It also has colouring sheets for kids. Very beneficail Alhamdulillaah. May Allaah reward the brothers and sisters for their efforts. Aameen.

Taalib.com

This is a very beneficial site for all ages. You have to register to use the site and registration is free. This site owners are a family of students of ilm who have lived in Yemen and studied under the Ulama for several  years. Alhamdulillaah. They also have children's publications. Check it out! Some parts of the site is under maintenance. 

Ash Shariah

You can download Islaamic E Books and Colouring Books for kids, here. I downloaded one the books  and it was nice. The images are disfigured (I would have prefered if they did not have any facial images at all, but they are still disfigured Alhamdulillaah). They will be putting out more books for kids in the future so look out for them Inshaa Allaah.

Mariam Poppins

This is a site for Muslimahs to get out of their own ways as the blogger says it. You get beneficial tips, reminders, support and encouragement to be a better Muslimah, home maker, wife, mother and teacher. This is done by our dear sister Umm Suhailah. She also has a facebook page. Check out her new blog.

Learn Arabic
Free Interactive Arabic Learning Online Program. Register and learn online. I have not gone through the whole program, but what I did go through seems very nice and easy Alhamdulillaah.

Easel and Ink

This is a wonderful art garden for Muslim sisters. Check out and get many graphics, stories, duas and activities for little kids for free. The Home School Corner has many wonderful resources.

Getting back to home-schooling... Issues....

So after about 2 months break we resumed our formal homeschooling. This post is to remind myself and help others handle issues that I faced resuming work with a 5 year old after a complete break of couple of months or more. We learn from our mistakes when we are put into such situations and Alhamdulillaah we do overcome them by the grace and Mercy of Allaah through dua, learning, listening, calming and being patient. So I thought it would help me and others to write about what I went through this time.

We had a nice set up for homeschooling at our home for the last 3 years, minimum distractions, to yourself lifestyle, when the doors are closed you really do not know what is happening outside and a very routine based learning. Work Box system made things interesting as well and everything went as smooth as possible Alhamdulillaah.

Changes happened, relocation preparations were going on, and needed to have a long break due to circumstances. Except for listening to the Qur'aan Maimoonah was only engaged in play during the long break. When we started formal school she liked it, but was dragging her feet to finish work, even though she was determined to finish all the work boxes for the day, she had issues. I knew she needed help to get back to normal, but at times I too was feeling frustrated with her attitude, which was wrong really! So what was her problem.

•  I realised that she has forgotten to write certain numbers and letters even though her reading was normal. She has lost touch and writing was a big issue. This has made her loose her self confidence.  This was one problem. 
• The next was the environment. Change of the settings were effecting her.
• Mind was occupied with play
• Even with fun activities and with topics that she usually gets excited about she was feeling so lethargic to do as the mind was not settled.
• She has plenty of other things to do here so her mind was thinking of that..and every small distraction troubled..
• Since she was not so interested in doing work she used to purposely tell me the wrong answer, something like if I ask her what is this colour pointing to black she would say blue just to annoy me.
• Makes some silly excuses like, my mind is telling not to write, something wrong with the pencil it keeps falling down, my hand is telling me cannot write.... lol

Now, I need to find solutions. 

• Made lots of Duas
• I realized she is still young and I do not have to worry too much, and the curriculum I am following is such that I can continue it even next year. And we have already covered more stuff for her age So I can go slow.
• She needs help with writing. So need to go slow and help her with it. I started showing her how to write when she was taking time and reduced the writing at the beginning.
• Even though the lessons we do are usually short, I made them even shorter so that she does not feel stressed. 
• I started talking a lot more than I usually do, for each lesson and explaining more and more so that she gets interested. Indeed by talking they do learn a lot.
• Gave breaks in between each lesson, just asked her to go out to the garden and have a look, play a bit or just sit and watch outside. 
• Took her out to a place where she has not gone before. A multi storied book shop, she enjoyed the visit and picked up some books for herself. This refreshes the mind.
• Broke the sessions of learning into two some days  morning and afternoon so that she can take sometime and the workload will look not so bad. This way she also realised if she finishes the work in the morning the whole of evening she has time to play.
• Sent her to her Abi for a pep talk on her attitude. He explained to her nicely and in a way that she gets effected that learning is something that is going to make her successful first to worship Allaah properly and then to make her an intelligent human being.
• Consistency, even if she does only one minute of work, I made it a point that we follow the routine continuously. This gives her self satisfaction and she feels good about completing and removes the feeling of failure. 
• Change my attitude. Swallow up all the frustrations and anger and try to give more praise even for a tiny thing, ignore things that could be ignored and carry on with firmness but use lot of flexibility. Need a great deal of patience for this subhanallaah! 
• Incentives, in other words bribe a little. We have told her if she does all the work with interest and complete then she can look forward for a trip to the zoo or some play area, etc etc

These are some of the solutions that we are implementing and the struggle is continuing still but becoming much better and easier Alhamdulillaah. With time it will be normal again Inshaa Allaah. These problems and solutions are based on Maimoonah's personality and our learning environment  as I always say each child is unique and you need to deploy your tactics accordingly. The above listed are very specific for our household but I presume it could be the same to another household as well. And it could help others generally to overcome similar issues Inshaa Allaah.

Please do share your experiences by commenting so that all of us can benefit too Inshaa Allaah.

Resuming........

It has been pretty long since I blogged over here. Qadarallaah maashaa Allaah we had to go through a flow of events here. All part and parcel of getting used to the environment and adjusting ourselves by the grace and mercy of Allaah.

Since our temporary relocation we are still on a break from formal homeschooling. In fact we have only completed six weeks of school work for this school year, subhanallaah. But for us homeschoolers every little change that happens in our lives are moments of learning alhamdulillaah. So we have been learning everyday. We have learnt how to cope with continuous sickness, how to live in other than our home, how to patiently blend with family with all ups and downs we are still learning and carrying on by the grace and mercy of Allaah.

Homeschooling for me has been my life actually and being without it had caused depression at times especially being out of home and routine, and I have got through this feeling only by making lots of dua and of course with the help of my faithful companion in this world and the hereafter inshaa Allaah my zawj. I would not say that I was fully successful in dealing such depressed feelings but Allaah guided me towards getting out of it alhamdulillaah. My plans and hopes were that I would be able to engage Maimoonah in different activities here and make her learn different skills and explore this country until my things arrive and we could start homeschooling. But it did not happen as things were so different here and we had to deal with issues like, rainy weather, sickness, transport and proper Islamic places to learn different skills and delay of getting my books down. So Allaah had different plans and we are contend with it.

Now after almost two months we are hoping to start our formal homeschooling with work boxes in few days inshaa Allaah and the thought of it is energizing me alhamdulillaah.


During this long break we were upto at least few things. Maimoonah was busy with her grandma and she has been listening to stories all day and night. She enjoys her company.

 

She has been exposed to all kinds of bugs and insects and have been a keen observer. Most of them she has seen for the first time in her life.

She got together with my mum and cooked in small traditional clay pots and pans and served us a good lunch.


She also had her first ever train ride to the hills. The train ride was comfortable with Expo Rail, where they serve breakfast, snacks and the whole tour is with air condition. Indeed the train travel is redefined in Sri Lanka by them.


We just went on a trip to the central part of Sri Lanka where everything is green and nice. The hotel was simple and nice! We had some visitors there too, guess who? Monkeys!!! Maimoonah was thrilled!

Visited the botanical gardens in Kandy. Such a wonderful experience there. Maimoonah was so happy that she finally had an opportunity to walk in the woods!


Also she walked on the suspension bridge over there! I thought she would be scared but she loved it and went on it the second time too!

She also went on a horse ride at the Victoria Golf Course! We could also view the Victoria Dam one of the largest reservoirs. It was such a breath taking view from top of the hills.

We had taken some lovely pictures but the sizes are very big to upload, so it needs editing. as soon as it is done will upload them Inshaa Allaah.

Children's Library Project and a Library Visit!

Part of the Young Learners Area at the British Council

The other day Maimoonah got an opportunity to visit a Library for the first time Alhamdulillaah. She has only read in books about Library so I took her to the Colombo British Council Library for the young Learners just to show her the atmosphere of a Library. She observed children and adults reading and the quiet atmosphere, the books categorised and labelled  She read some books there for  sometime as she was not allowed to borrow books since she was not a member.

I was not impressed with the collection of books (which also made me realize the need of the below project that I will mention) though as usual lot of unislaamic stuff, and no quality living books from what I saw, Allaahu A'lam. But I was happy that Maimoonah could at least visit a library Alhamdulillaah!

Now coming to the most important thing that I want to share with all of you readers and want you to help us in this noble Project. 

There are only few Libraries in Qatar and as far as we know most of them do not allow to borrow books and do not have a rich collection of books any way, so we homeschoolers are really lacking this great resource. So some of us sisters in Doha have got together to build a small library for our children in Doha Inshaa Allaah. This is not going to be an ordinary Library where everything and anything is going to be available, rather by the permission of Allaah this is going to be a Library that will have books and activities that would adhere to the Islaamic guidelines as much as 

possible. So the books will be Inshaa Allaah

• For kids 0- 7 years initially.
• Realistic fiction that do not go against the teachings of Islaam
• Non fiction that do not go against the teachings of Islaam
• Authentic Islamic books covering different topics

For now there will be books in English and Arabic and may be later we can expand with books in other languages.

So far we have about 445 English Books and 145 Arabic Books Alhamdulillaah. Some books were donated by sisters and the rest were purchased with the money we collected in Doha Alhamdulillaah thanks to some wonderful sisters and their efforts. 

Alhamdulillaah we have also found a place for the Library for now where a sister and her family opened part of their house for this worthy cause. May Allaah reward them immensely. 

We hope to Launch or open up the Library Inshaa Allaah early next year and currently we are busy with the following

• establishing a stamp for the books 
• covering all books with a plastic cover to protect the books
• categorizing the books and making codes for each book
• establishing a membership application form
• establishing membership cards 
• establishing a software with all the books titles, status, codes and members data

So what we need and how you could help us out here is what comes next! We need plenty of money to buy books. As you know Doha is very expensive and to get down books from other countries cost us more than the cost of the books. Subhanallaah. We are trying to find cheapest shipping but still the cost is very high.

So please do contribute to this project according to your ability, every penny counts bi idhnillaah. Those of you who are in Qatar and would like to contribute please contact Dina at dinakhattab77@gmail.com and those who are outside Qatar please do contact me at ummmaimoonah@gmail.com and I can send you the link for online payments Inshaa Allaah.

This is a non profit project and all earnings through memberships and other means will be used for the Library itself Inshaa Allaah. 

We are also in need of the following for the Library: 

• Children Islamic posters
• Soft toys, fruits, vegetables...etc
• Bean bags

So if any of you are interested in sponsoring them please do let us know Inshaa Allaah!

I sincerely hope and pray each one of you who are reading this post would contribute something towards this and help in this noble community project and earn the pleasure of Allaah in this world and the hereafter. Aameen.

Umbrella!

Maimoonah is crazy over Umbrellas and loves to use them. She is getting opportunities to us it here Maashaa Allaah.

Since we have not yet started homeschooling she is sometimes bored too.

So one day we decided to do some painting. I got this kit from a local store and both of enjoyed this project.

Temporary Relocation.......South Asia....

So, we were silent and missing over here for few weeks. Jazzakumullaah Khayr for all those who were concerned and for inquiring about our absence. Allaah is the best of planners and we are now in.....guess where? I am sure you all know by now! 

While it is nice to be back after a long break we are still getting used to many things especially Maimoonah! She is busy with seeing her relatives and enjoying her babyhood memories around.  

Maimoonah is slowly learning many many things and we are gradually explaining to her the changes she sees in this part of the world! But within her I know she loves to get back to Doha and yearns to live in the land of the Muslims..... 

We have still not got back to homeschooling but only doing the Usooluth Thalaathah and the Qur'aan for now. Maimoonah is missing her work boxes and home, Inshaa Allaah we will start soon.

We were down with flu as when we arrived it was raining and thundering all day and night. Alhamdulillaah the weather is turning good and waiting to go outdoors and explore with Maimoonah Inshaa Allaah! 

So here are some of the pics taken indoors so far!!! 

Just a peep outside from the bedroom window.....

Enjoying the traditional Mango, Pineapple Achcharu (traditional pickle made with vinegar  salt, pepper, chilli) while down with flu... gives some taste while having the cold and cough....

My mum loves her garden and maintains it so well at this age as well.... May Allaah bless her with good health, Aameen!.............

She wanted me to give her some work to do as she was so bored one day... So I wrote some of her old work as revision. She insisted she wanted to do Seerah. She found her baby feeding chair what her Grandma got for her and sat on that and did her work...

 

Alhamdulillaah for Homeschooling, wherever you are the journey continues... we hope and pray Allaah blesses us with great learning experiences and opportunities here and we get back to Doha and our home and our beautiful small community there to continue our journey, Aameen. 

Updates of our adventures will be posted as and when we encounter them Inshaa Allaah!

Hajj Resources!

Alhaamdulillaah, Our Lord the Most Merciful has blessed us once again to witness the best 10 days of the years. All Praise in indeed due to Him alone. 

This is the best time to teach our kids the importance of these blessed days along with Hajj and Eid Inshaa Allaah.

For those of you who want to do some activities with kids here are some of the resources I found to be beneficial. We will be also doing most of the activities from below Inshaa Allaah as we have completed 6 weeks of school and will be having a break from formal school till Eid. 

• The Darul Kitab Book on The Story of Hajj
• Prophets Sent by Allaah - Ibraheem alaihissalaam and Ismail Alaihissalaam Sequencing Cards
• Story of Ibraheem Alaihissalaam Activities
• When the Ka'bah was built 
• A nice story about the Ibraheem alahissalaam and the bad king
• Sis Umm An Nu'man as usual has put out this wonderful Hajj Activity Pack
• Hajj Bulletin Board
• Hajj Lapbooks
• TJ Mini Book 1st 10 days of Dhul Hijjah
• Some Hajj Activities for toddlers and Preschoolers
• Hajj Worksheets
• More activities at TJ Hajj
•  Geography Activities on Saudi Arabia, and the world
• Make a Dhulhijjah Journal with arts and crafts
• Hajj Exhibitions. Some Museums or Islamic centres have Hajj Exhibitions these days and you can take your kids and learn Inshaa Allaah. If you are in Doha there is an exhibition going on at  Moza bint Mohammed Centre in Al- Waab, so check it out if interested.

I hope you will find the above useful and May Allaah make it easy for us to teach our kids the importance of these blessed days and make it easy for us to make the best out of this opportunity. Aameen.