Nurturing love for prayer in kids might be challenging in the beginning. However, encouraging kids in salah can get easy (in shaa Allah) with a few tricks and tips!
We can begin by making them excited about the first step: Wudu!

When we are raising pious kids, we want them to form and practice 3 things:

1. Comprehension (understanding).

2. Intentions (Niyyah).

3. Habits.

Comprehension (understanding)

First impressions are very important in childhood because the memories and feelings they develop will last in their hearts and minds.

This is why it is important to be kind and patient when you teach them about Islam. Their minds are curious, so it is good to make a point to listen carefully to their questions and explain things as best as you can. It is okay to tell children you don’t have an answer for something if you do not, there is no problem in not having all the answers! Just listening to them and answering whatever you can, is going to benefit them. If you do not have the answer to something, simply tell them “I will search, learn about this, and tell you when I find the answer.” And if you still cannot find an answer, you can tell them “I’ve searched for the answer and can’t find anything so far. I appreciate your question though!” At all times it is important to let them know you appreciate their questions!

What is Wudu?

A special wash with water, before we pray or read the Qur’an.

Why do we do Wudu?

“Why!” is a very common question for kids. The simple answer is that in the Qur’an, Allah told us to.

“O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles…Allāh does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.” (Surah al-Maa’idah 5:6). -Translation by Saheeh International.

Also, another benefit of Wudu is that it teaches cleanliness and personal hygiene. Our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Cleanliness is half of the faith…” (Sahih Muslim).

Intentions (Niyyah)

Practicing Niyyah from an early. age helps children understand better the “why” behind worship. It also makes them think of Allah more often and practice good habits and intentions.

What is Niyyah?

Niyyah means intention or purpose. Whenever we do any actions, we gain more hasanat (good deeds) by having ‘niyyah’ that our action is for Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “Actions are judged by intentions, and every person will be rewarded according to their intention”.

Niyyah does not need to be said out loud, we only need to make it in our hearts and minds, by thinking it.

How to Practice Niyyah in Wudu?

Before you begin Wudu, make a niyyah (intention) that you are performing the Wudu for the sake of Allah.

Habits

Among the best Islamic parenting tips is including your children in your routines. When you are about to do Wudu, tell them “I’m going to do Wudu, let’s do Wudu together!”. Invite them to join you every time you do Wudu, this will help them form a habit, as habits are formed by repetition.

Simple Steps of Wudu

How to explain the steps of Wudu to your children.

1. Make your intention that you are about to do Wudu for Allah so that you can worship Him.

2. Say Bismillah. If you are inside the bathroom, so you cannot say it out loud, say it in your head.

3. Wash hands 3x: Include the wrist and between the fingers.

4. Rinse mouth 3x: Use your right hand to put water into your mouth. Swirl it around and then spit it out.

5. Rinse nose 3x: sniff water into your nose with your right hand, then blow it out using your left hand.

6. Wash face 3x: wash your face from forehead to chin, and from right ear to the left ear. If you have a beard then run your fingers through it.

7. Wash RIGHT arm 3x. Wash your whole hand, arm, and elbow, in that order.

8. Wash LEFT arm 3x.

9. Wipe hair 1x. Start at the top of your hairline, move your hand to the back of your head then front again. One time.

10. Wipe ears 1x. Wipe your ears with your fingers one time.

11. Wash RIGHT foot 3x. Include your ankle and between your toes.

12. Wash LEFT foot 3x.

After you are done with Wudu you can say “Ashadu an-la ilaha illa allah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh”

Encourage your little kids to make Wudu with you even if they don’t do it properly yet. You can try asking them to remind you what part to wash next. Make this experience fun and remind them that water is a blessing from Allah and we should use it moderately and not waste it. Another fact you should tell your children about Wudu is that it acts as a protective shield Alhamdulillah so do it throughout the day (not mandatory unless for worship) or even before bed (Ballam).

By the time they reach adulthood, they will have practiced Wudu so much that it is a natural part of their daily lives in sha Allah!

Teaching Kids Wudu

Cultivating Love for Prayer Step by Step