Ramadan is a special month for Quran, but fasting changes children’s energy. A good timetable makes the most of it.
Best and worst times
| Time | For a fasting child |
|---|---|
| Weekend mid-morning | Good: rested, not yet very hungry |
| Straight after school | Hard: tired and hungry |
| The hour before iftar | Avoid: lowest energy |
| About an hour after iftar | Good: fed, prayed Maghrib |
| Late at night | Avoid for younger children, especially if they wake for suhur |
Summer vs winter Ramadan
In the UK, the length of the fast changes a lot with the season. When Ramadan falls in summer, iftar is very late and evening lessons may not work for young children; weekend mornings are better. In winter, iftar is early and evening lessons are easier.
What to focus on
- Reading and revision more than heavy new memorisation.
- A Ramadan goal: a juz read, a short surah memorised, or improving Al-Fatihah.
- Meanings of the surahs they recite in Tarawih.
Agree it early
A week before Ramadan, message the teacher with your preferred times. Slots fill quickly as many families ask for the same change.
Teacher’s tip: younger children who aren’t fasting still feel the change in routine. Keeping their lesson time the same can actually help them feel settled.
Related: Finishing the Quran in Ramadan.
