10/29/2017

Free Sequencing Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten - Ihsaan Home Academy

 
Sequencing is a very important skill to start learning at a young age. It is a crucial part of our every day that comes in many different forms such as language, reading, logic, following directions, telling stories, and more. Much attention should be given to these simply everyday life skills at a young age because the lack of can result in huge negative impact later on in adult years. Think about Math and engineering for example; they have a lot to do with sequencing, but it all starts with very basic skills such as the ones previously mentioned. Let's focus on the basics right now; you want your child to be able to follow simple instructions, speak well, read well, and obtain other basic skills. So, start introducing activities, toys, and fun games to help your child strengthen his/her sequencing skills. Here's a printable I put together that I'd love to share with you.


This activity is simple and can be used on the go.

How to prepare it:
  • Print both sheets on A4 paper cardstocks
  • Cut and laminate them
  • Make holes at the left upper corner of each card using a hole puncher
  • Put the cards together using a binding ring
If you don't currently have a laminator or your laminator isn't working at the moment for whatever reason and would like to still prepare this activity, you can always use clear duct tape. It may or may not look perfect. Here is how it may look:
How to play:
  • Say the name of each object or person, then ask your child to say the name of the missing one by asking "What's next?"
  • Give your child a dry erase marker to circle the one missing
  • Redo this as many times as you like because the cards can be wiped clean
You really don't need anything fancy to teach sequencing. There are many ways to do this. Here are some:
  • Using blocks by putting one color after the other (example: red, blue, red, blue, red....what's next?)
  • Using cups or any other child-friendly object to do the same as above
  • Making simple recipes such as fruit salad. Do step by step and emphasize on the steps you're taking next. Ask your child to help. Example: First, we wash the fruits, next, we cut them into small pieces, etc...
  • While reading a book, ask your child what he/she thinks is next in the story. Example: The apple fell on the monkey's head. What do you think happened next?
Ok, I think you got the point. If not, feel free to ask if you have any questions.
I hope this printable will be useful for your child in shaa Allah.
Enjoy!

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10/26/2017

Free 5 Daily Salah Activities Printable


 
It's never too early to learn about salah; it all depends on how you introduce it to kids. I've put together two free and fun activities for the daily salah units. 
How to prepare it:
  • Laminate the first sheet with the prayer rugs for durability.
  • Cut and laminate the second sheet, then cut out the Ka'bas and stars.
  • Laminate the third sheet.
  • Put velcro stickers on the prayer rugs (one up, and one down) and behind the Ka'bas and stars.
How to play it:
    • Take the Ka'ba stickers and stick (on rugs) the correct number of Fardh units for each Salah. 
    • Do the same for the Sunnah units of prayer.
    • For the second activity, use a dry erase marker to connect the Salah to the correct number of units.
    • Play as many times as you like with your child until he/she learns the correct units of prayer for each Salah.


    Recommended age group: 4-8 (but can be used for any age)
    I hope this will benefit you in shaa Allah. If you have any questions or would like to suggest something, don't hesitate to contact me using the contact form below. 
    Have fun!



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    10/16/2017

    10 Ways to Encourage Your Child to Play Independently - Ihsaan Home Academy

     

    Independent play is an important part of child development. It teaches children to be creative, solve problems, be confident in their ability to take charge, stay focused, and learn to be satisfied with what they have. On top of it all, it also allows the caregiver to have some "me time" or take care of other responsibilities without being neglectful. Teaching my child to play independently is one of my greatest parenting achievements thus far, Alhamdulillah. Of course, it was only possible by Allah's help. Always start with good intentions and asking Allah for help. Allow me to share some of the tips I've learned over the years.


    1. Start early
    Like everything else, starting early is the best way to instill a behavior or lesson in a child. From the time my daughter was a toddler, I knew that I had to encourage her to start playing on her own. It wasn't just beneficial for her, it was also a good way for me to stay productive. It was a win-win situation for both of us. How early should you start? That's for you to determine. If I'm not mistaking, I started around 1.

    2. Show love and lots of attention
    Letting your child play independently doesn't mean you should start neglecting him/her. The goal here isn't to completely ignore the child, but to teach him/her an important life skill that will benefit you both in shaa Allah. Make sure you have the habit of showing your child lots of love and attention. You wouldn't want him to get a negative vibe about this or misinterpret your intentions.

    3. Play with your child
    Beside showing lots of love and attention, make it a habit to also play with your child whenever possible. Make playing together an important moment of your parent-child relationship. This will affirm to your child that you care and value your time together. So, when he/she starts playing independently, it'd be with the understanding that sometimes playing with mommy/daddy is fun, and sometimes playing alone is fun too.

    4. Make sure the play area is kid-friendly
    The last thing you want to do is to constantly check behind you to make sure your child hasn't hurt him/herself. To avoid that, just keep the area safe and simple. Of course, you would still need to occasionally check because anything can happen.

    5. Give toys that encourage creativity and independence
    Try to stay away from electronic devices or anything that doesn't really stimulate your child's brain. You want something that will encourage creativity, focus, learning, and at the same time, fun. With my daughter, I gave her pens, pencils, coloring markers/pencils, notebooks, coloring books, legos, puzzles, stuffed animals, pots and pans, and containers with holes to pass objects through them to name a few. I didn't give her all these at the same time; I switch it up a bit. With the pens, coloring markers/pencils, and books, she learned to properly hold a pen before the age of 2 without me teaching her. She learned to draw by observing objects without me teaching her, and she learned to properly color as well. She did pick up some of it by observing me when we drew together, but I never practically taught her. With the legos, she learned how to build different objects such as houses, chairs, people, and more by simply using her imagination. She learned how to build with medium legos, then very small legos, and later with big legos. With the stuffed animals, she learned to play 'mother' among other things. With the pots and pans, she pretended to cook, and with the containers with holes, she improved her fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. She knew in which hole to put the smallest object, biggest object, and even the medium. Allahumma baarik (May Allah bless her).

    6. Focus on one or very few toys at a time
    From experience, I believe it is much more effective to introduce one or few toys at a time rather than a lot. It can be very overwhelming when children have countless toys presented to them at the same time. This may lead to them constantly asking for help, unsure about which toy to first play with, and the list goes on. Besides, you wouldn't want to be overwhelmed with the mess or overwhelm your child with cleaning up.That may lead to giving up much sooner. Keep it nice and simple.

    7. Help when needed, but let your child be independent
    While playing, if your little one needs your help, be happy to help without taking over. It's okay to occasionally step in, but try not to always do that. Allow your child to have complete control and use his/her imagination.

    8. Encourage
    Encourage your child in everything he/she does or learns. One thing I have always done from the very beginning with my daughter is to compliment her for her achievements and let her know how proud of her I am. I can see her happy and proud face when she does something new. She runs to me saying, "look what I did!!!" It warms my heart and I happily encourage her and show her how proud of her I am.

    9. Don't force it
    If at any time your child isn't interested in playing alone, slow down and do NOT force it. Allow independent play to come slowly and naturally. Don't let it be a burden, and certainly do not let it make your child feel like a burden. Be patient.

    10. Be consistent
    Being consistent is the key to achieving almost everything in life. Don't give up when things don't seem to work according to plans. Do your best and stay consistent. Everything only happens by the will of Allah and when it is best.

    I hope these tips were encouraging and useful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask by commenting below. If you have any additional tips, I would love to hear from you. Barak Allahu feekum.


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    10/08/2017

    FREE Mini 5 Senses Activity Pack for Preschool and Kindergarten - Homeschooling

     
    Here's a mini pack of three activities of the five senses (sight, hearing, tasting, touching, and smelling). It can be used for both preschoolers and kindergartners. 
    It teaches children about the five senses that Allah blessed human beings with. It also reminds children that not everyone has all five senses, but everyone is blessed and unique.


    Activity 1: The child is asked to circle (color-coded) the image corresponding to the sense.
    Activity 2: I can see..., I can touch..., etc. It is a similar concept to the first activity in another form.
    Activity 3: This is a maze activity. The child is asked to help Ahmad get to the masjid by connecting the images that he can see on his way. 
    For better duration, laminate each activity sheet, and use a dry erase marker to write on it. 

    I hope your child will enjoy this mini pack. If you use this activity pack, I would really appreciate it if you would let me know how you found it in shaa Allah. 

    8 Amazing Uses and Benefits of Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth + DIYs

     
    Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a silica(found in humans, animals, plans, and essentials for healthy bones, nails, skin, hair, and other body parts/organs)-rich mineral made from the remains of diatoms (organism found in lakes, oceans, rivers, streams, and anywhere there is water). It is a very hard rock that is crushed into white power. It has many uses and health benefits for humans, animals, and even plans. There are two types of DE - Food Grade and Non-Food Grade. The safest type to use is the food-grade one for both internal and external uses. There are many uses and health benefits of Diatomaceous Earth; I'll share just seven of them.

    1. Detoxifies the body and improves health inside out
    When taken internally, food-grade Diatomaceous Earth detoxes the body by absorbing toxins from the blood and killing parasites and viruses from the body. It also cleanses the gut, as a result, clears the skin and improves the overall health of other body parts/organs. DE strengthens the bones, joints, teeth, nails, hair, and eyelashes. Make sure to stay hydrated when taking DE as it can cause constipation.
    How to take it:
    Put a teaspoon of food-grade DE in a cup of water, mix it, and drink it on an empty stomach 1 hour before eating, or 2-3 hours after. Do this once a day in the morning or evening. Take DE 10 days on, and 10 days off. After a week or two of taking DE, you can increase your intake to 2 teaspoons or 1 tablespoon. Start gradually to see how your body reacts to it. There are many ways of taking DE, this is just one of them.


    2. A natural deodorant for sensitive skin
    If you're into making your own natural deodorants to protect your body from harmful substances found in the conventional deodorants, you may want to consider DE as a substitute. Baking soda is commonly used as an ingredient in DIYs deodorants, but many people find it irritating on their skin, especially when used in big quantity. If you have sensitive skin, you can replace the baking soda with DE.
    How to use it:
    a. Apply it directly to the armpits without mixing it with anything.
    b. Mix 3/4 cup of arrowroot powder, 1/3 cup of food-grade DE, 1 teaspoon of baking soda (optional since it's a small amount; if your skin can handle it), 8 tablespoons of soft organic cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil, and 10 drops of essential oil of your choice. Store it in a glass jar, and use as needed.
    c. Mix 3/4 cup of arrowroot powder, 1/3 cup of food-grade DE, 1/3 cup of melted organic cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil, 4-6 tablespoons of melted beeswax pellets, and 10 drops of essential oil of your choice. Store it in a deodorant stick or glass jar, let it cool down, and use as needed.

    3. Toothpaste for strong and clean teeth
    Use DE as a toothpaste or mix it in your current toothpaste.
    How to use it:
    a. Put a little bit of DE on your toothpaste, and brush your teeth as usual.
    b. Mix DE in your store-bought toothpaste or DIYs toothpaste.
    c. Mix 5-10 tablespoons of DE, 5-10 tablespoons of Bentonite Clay, 1-3 teaspoons of baking soda (optional), and 2-3 tablespoons of activated charcoal. Mix it all with a wooden spoon (avoid any metallic item because it will cancel out the Bentonite Clay), and store it in a glass jar.
    d. Mix 5-10 tablespoons of DE, 5-10 tablespoons of Bentonite Clay, 1-3 teaspoons of baking soda (optional), 2-5 teaspoons of organic cold pressed extra virgin coconut oil at room temperature, 3-5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix it all with a wooden spoon (avoid any metallic item because it will cancel out the Bentonite Clay), and store it in a glass jar.


    4. Skin products, facial mask and scrub
    DE is a common ingredient found in many skin products such as soaps, facial masks, and facial scrubs. If you make your own soap, you can use DE as one of the ingredients for smooth and clear skin. But for now, let's talk about the facial mask and scrubs.
    How to use it:
    a. Mix a tablespoon (or less) of DE with few drops of distilled water to create a paste-like consistency. If you have dry skin, try mixing it with a bit (drops) of carrier old such as coconut oil, almond oil, olive oil, or other oils because DE can be very drying. Apply it on your face by gently scrubbing it in a circular motion. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, and wash it off with cool water.
    b. Mix a tablespoon (or less) of DE, 1/2 teaspoon of honey, and 1/2 teaspoon of plain yogurt. Apply it on your face by gently scrubbing it in a circular motion. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, and wash it off with cool water.
    c. Mix a tablespoon (or less) of DE, 1/2 teaspoon of honey, 2-5 drops of apple cider vinegar (less for sensitive skin), and 2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil (optional, do this before bedtime to avoid direct sun radiation after applying tea tree essential oil) . Apply it on your face by gently scrubbing it in a circular motion. Leave it for about 15-20 minutes, and wash it off with cool water.

    5. For stronger and fuller hair
    Diatomaceous Earth strengthen the hair when taken internally and externally. For external use, please be very careful with the dosage because it can dry the hair and have the opposite effect.
    How to use it:
    1. Put 1-2 teaspoons of DE in your shampoo/conditional, mix/shake it, and use as usual.
    2. Mix 1 teaspoon of DE in your usual deep conditioner.
    Warning: Based on experience, I prefer to NOT use DE in my hair anymore. It can be extremely drying, but that's because I used a lot more than I should have. So, experiment with it by using a very small quantity.

    6. Natural deodorizer 
    Use DE to keep your house, carpet, and refrigerator smelling fresh. Much like baking soda, DE neutralizes odors. If you have a pet, you can even use DE to keep its litter fresh and odorless.
    How to use it:
    For refrigerator: Put DE in a small open container and leave it in the refrigerator. For better result, change it every 2-3 weeks.
    For Carpet: Brush or dust a little bit of DE throughout your carpet. Let it sit for 24 hours, then vacuum the carpet. Cover your nose when doing this to avoid inhaling the DE.
    For Pet Litter: Put about a cup of DE in the pet litter (along with the usual litter items). Frequently change the litter as usual.

    7. A natural pest control
    DE can be used to kill pests such as bedbugs, cockroaches, and other pests that make their way in a house. It can also be used to control the pest in gardens and farms. Even though DE kills pests, it is still not harmful to humans, animals, and plants. The reason is because DE kills pests by drying out their outer coat.
    How to use it:
    For Home: Vacuum the house or clean it as usual, cover your nose, and dust a little bit (thin layer with a brush or baby powder container) of DE throughout the carpets, in cracks, and around/under the beds. Leave it for 24 hours, then vacuum the whole house. Do this every day for about 1-2 weeks.
    For Gardens and Farms: Dust DE throughout the garden/farm while it is dry. DE works best when it is dry.

    8. Protects animals from fleas
    DE protects animals from carrying and spreading fleas.
    How to use it:
    Vacuum, then dust any area that the animal visits with DE. Leave it for 1-2 days, then vacuum it all. You can also dust the animal with a thin layer of DE, and comb through its fur using a flea comb the following day. Continue doing this for 2-3 weeks or until you are sure all the fleas are gone.


    There are much more uses and benefits of Diatomaceous Earth. Make sure to always do your own research before using any of the above recipes that I have shared.

    Disclaimer: None of what I've shared is meant to diagnose or treat any illness/disease. These are only my personal opinions and research. Please always make your own research before taking any advice/opinions.


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