Many Arabic letters share one shape and differ only in dots. Children who mix them up are usually looking at the shape and ignoring the dots.
The dot families
| No dots | With dots | Memory hook |
|---|---|---|
| ر | ز (1 above) | Z has a “zap” dot |
| س | ش (3 above) | Three dots, “sh-sh-sh” |
| ص | ض (1 above) | The heavy one with a dot |
| ط | ظ (1 above) | Dot means tongue between the teeth |
| ع | غ (1 above) | Dot means gargle |
| ف (1 above) | ق (2 above) | Two dots, deeper “q” |
| ح | ج (1 inside), خ (1 above) | See ج ح خ |
The “dot detective” game (3 minutes a day)
- Make cards with one pair each day, for example س and ش.
- Mix them up; your child picks one, counts the dots out loud, then says the sound.
- Then find that letter in a line of the Mushaf or Qaida.
Writing helps
Ask your child to write the shape first, then add the dots last, saying “zero dots” or “three dots”. The act of adding dots makes them notice.
Check the eyes
If your child also struggles to see small details elsewhere, an eye test at a UK optician is free for under-16s.
Teacher’s tip: teach one pair a week, not all at once. Once a pair is solid, mix it with earlier pairs for revision.
Related: ب ت ث.
