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Faith & Daily Life
A parent asks

How do I explain Ramadan to a young child?

Bloomtivo answers

Keep it to three ideas: Ramadan is the month the Quran came down; grown-ups fast from dawn to sunset to get closer to Allah and remember people who are hungry; and everyone tries to do extra good deeds. Then make it visible: a 30-day calendar, a good-deeds jar, helping prepare iftar, a charity box, and a small Ramadan goal of their own.

Reviewed by Islam Awny, Bloomtivo teacher · Updated

The full answer

Young children understand Ramadan best through what they see and do.

Three simple ideas

  1. “Ramadan is the special month when the Quran came down” (Quran 2:185).
  2. “Grown-ups don’t eat or drink from Fajr to Maghrib, to get closer to Allah and remember people who are hungry.”
  3. “Everyone tries to be extra kind and do good deeds.”

By age

AgeExplanation and activity
3–4“A special month. We do kind things.” Good-deeds stickers
5–6Fasting, iftar, the Quran. Help prepare dates
7–8Why we fast; a practice fast. See when to start fasting

Make it visible

  • A 30-day calendar or moon chart.
  • A good-deeds jar: one note per kind act.
  • A charity box for coins.
  • Decorations made together.

A child’s Ramadan goal

  • Learn a short surah.
  • Say a dua at iftar.
  • One kind act each day.

In the UK

Ramadan moves about 11 days earlier each year, so iftar may be at teatime or late at night depending on the season. Explain why the times change. See Islamic months.

Teacher’s tip: give your child a job at iftar: handing out dates. Feeling useful makes Ramadan theirs.

Related: Preparing for Ramadan and Ramadan words.

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