Most of us want more than a child who reads the Quran. We want a child who loves it: who smiles when they open the Mushaf, who asks for one more surah at bedtime, and who keeps the Quran close long after the lessons end.
That kind of love cannot be forced. But it can be planted, watered and gently grown. Here are ten practical ways to do exactly that at home.
- Children learn to love what they see their parents love.
- Gentleness, praise and short, happy moments work far better than pressure.
- Understanding the meanings turns recitation into connection.
- The right teacher can light a love for the Quran that lasts a lifetime.
Why gentleness matters
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah is gentle and loves gentleness in all matters.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6927). When the Quran is linked with warmth, praise and closeness, children want more of it. When it is linked with shouting, punishment or stress, they quietly start to avoid it. Our job is to make the Quran feel like the safest, happiest place in their day.
1. Let them see you love it
Children copy what they see. When they see you reading the Quran, listening to it in the car or smiling as you recite, they learn that it is precious. You do not need to be an expert. A few minutes of your own reading, where they can see you, says more than any lecture.
2. Keep it short and sweet
A calm ten minutes that ends with a smile is worth far more than a long session that ends in tears. Stop while your child still wants more. Tomorrow, they will come back happily.
A note from Jihad Fathy, Quran & Tajweed Teacher at Bloomtivo
A parent once described a familiar scene: the child made a mistake while reading, the parent corrected it, and the child closed the Mushaf. The parent’s first thought was, “They don’t want to learn.”
I suggested looking at the moment just before the book closed. Had the child been tired? Had the correction interrupted a line they were proud of? Did they seem embarrassed?
The parent tried a different response the next time. Instead of correcting every mistake immediately, they let the child finish the line, then chose one point to practise together. The child still had difficult days, but reading no longer stopped at the first correction.
Gentleness does not mean leaving a child without guidance. It means giving correction in a way that helps them come back to the page.
— Jihad Fathy, Quran & Tajweed teacher at Bloomtivo
3. Praise effort, not perfection
Celebrate trying, improving and being brave enough to read out loud. “I loved how carefully you read that” builds far more love than “You made three mistakes.” Mistakes are part of learning; correct them gently and move on.
4. Tell the stories
The Quran is full of stories children adore: the Prophet Yusuf and his brothers, the Prophet Musa and the sea, the people of the cave. When children know the story behind a surah, reading it becomes exciting. Our Stories of the Prophets programme is built for exactly this.
5. Help them understand what they read
Imagine reciting every day in a language you do not understand. Learning even a few meanings changes everything. Start with Al-Fatihah: explain each verse in simple words. Programmes like Tafseer for Kids and Quranic Arabic help children understand the words they say in every prayer.
6. Make it part of everyday life
- Recite Ayat al-Kursi together before bed.
- Play beautiful recitation softly in the car or kitchen.
- Read a short surah together after Fajr or Maghrib.
- Say a verse when you see something amazing in nature.
7. Never use the Quran as a punishment
“Go and read the Quran because you were naughty” teaches a child that the Quran is a punishment. Keep it separate from discipline, always. The Quran should be a reward and a comfort, never a sanction.
8. Celebrate the milestones
Finishing the Qaida, a new surah memorised, a juz completed: these are big moments. Celebrate them with a special dinner, a small gift, a call to grandparents or a certificate on the fridge. Children remember how those moments made them feel.
Teacher’s tip: let your child “teach” you the surah they just learned. Being the teacher for a few minutes makes children incredibly proud.
9. Give them a little choice
Children love feeling in control. Let them choose which surah to revise first, which reciter to listen to, or where to sit for their lesson. Small choices build big ownership.
10. Choose a teacher who is kind
A teacher can make or break a child’s relationship with the Quran. Look for someone qualified, patient and warm, who corrects gently and praises often. Here is our guide on how to choose the right online Quran teacher.
A week of small, happy Quran moments
Love grows from many small, warm moments, not one big effort. Here is a week of ideas to try. Pick the ones that suit your family.
| Day | Idea |
|---|---|
| Monday | Listen to a short surah together in the car or on the walk to school. |
| Tuesday | Tell one Quran story at bedtime and ask what your child liked most. |
| Wednesday | Let your child choose which surah to recite today. |
| Thursday | Explain the meaning of one short ayah in a single sentence. |
| Friday | Your child recites a favourite surah to a grandparent on a video call. |
| Saturday | A 10-minute family Quran circle, with everyone taking a turn. |
| Sunday | Colour in the week’s stars on a tracker and celebrate the effort. |
Our free My Quran Journey planner has a star tracker you can print for the fridge.
And never forget dua
Hearts are in the hands of Allah. Make dua for your child often: that Allah makes them among the people of the Quran, and fills their heart with love for it. Your sincere dua is one of the most powerful gifts you can give.
At Bloomtivo, everything is built around this idea: children should not just finish the Quran, they should grow up loving it. Our teachers hold ijazahs in the Quran and are chosen for their patience with children, and every lesson is live and 1-to-1. If you would like to see the difference a kind teacher makes, book 2 free trial lessons.
Sources and further reading: Sahih al-Bukhari 6927 (Sunnah.com) · Surah Al-Fatihah (Quran.com) · Ayat al-Kursi, 2:255 (Quran.com)
