6 Ways our Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) Encouraged Children to be Sociable

Masha'Allah, children are a blessing and guiding them to become sociable and kind individuals is a beautiful responsibility. Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) laid out simple yet profound ways to encourage children to interact positively with the world around them. Here's how you can follow these sunnah in nurturing your little ones to be well-rounded, sociable Muslims.

1. The Warmth of Greetings

A simple "Assalamu alaikum" can open hearts. The Prophet (ﷺ) trained children to use these words of peace as a greeting, setting an example himself. Just as he acknowledged even the youngest among us, you too can teach your child the importance of respectful greetings. Discover more about handling child behavior in Dealing with child behaviour problems: Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) Gentle Parenting.

2. The Kindness of Visits

Visiting the ill and the elderly was a practice the Prophet (ﷺ) shared with children. Such visits are opportunities to teach empathy and respect for all, regardless of their condition or faith.

3. Building Self-Confidence

Assigning tasks and trusting children with responsibilities was another method the Prophet (ﷺ) used to foster self-confidence. This practice encourages them to take initiative and feel valued in their contributions.

4. Engaging in Commerce

Even the simple act of buying and selling can be a learning experience. The Prophet (ﷺ) involved children in transactions, teaching them valuable lessons in financial responsibility and social interaction.

5. Spending Time with Elders

Accompanying seniors allows children to learn from their wisdom and experience. The Prophet (ﷺ) was a living example of this, demonstrating various roles from leadership to compassion.

6. Choosing Good Company

Encouraging positive friendships and group play, the Prophet (ﷺ) knew the impact of peer influence. He taught that good company nurtures good character.

In addition to these teachings, an effective tool to further engage your children in Islamic practices is the My Salah Mat Interactive Kids Prayer Mat. This innovative prayer mat is designed to make learning Salah fun, interactive, and easy for children. It guides them through the steps of prayer with interactive sounds and visuals, making it a wonderful addition to your efforts in nurturing their faith and sociability.

The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) outlined a 3 components approach to nurturing children's social development: firstly, by encouraging them to engage in social niceties such as greetings [As-Salaamu Alaykum] and visits, and to actively contribute to their communities. Secondly, he emphasized the importance of spending time with elders. Lastly, he advocated for the cultivation of a positive milieu fostered through strong and healthy friendships.

Explore this engaging prayer mat and more at My Salah Mat.