This series is based on our experience of running a school for over fifteen years and working with youths in the community for over two decades. Please visit www.waliulasr.ca/parents for earlier parts.
Excellence in academics and sports
Children who are driven to excel academically and in sports have less time for unhealthy distractions and toxic conversations. Some of the common scenarios we have observed are as follows:
1. Children excel in studies when both parents set high standards, take detailed interest in the performance of the child and help them achieve goals in a methodical manner. In addition to school work, different types of courses in summer can be very helpful for children e.g. Hooked on Phonics – Learn to read (https://www.hookedonphonics.com/) is a great program for pre-school and kindergarten students and Introduction to Programming with Python and Java (https://www.coursera.org/specializations/programming-python-java) is recommended for grade 8-12 students who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in computer science or engineering.
2. Children who struggle in English or math in middle or high school are often unclear about foundational concepts. Revising earlier concepts with the help of workbooks like English Smart and Math Smart (https://www.popularbook.ca/) at home can be an effective way to resolve systemic academic challenges. Children who find it difficult to understand lessons in class benefit greatly by reading the lesson in advance. Parents should assist children in developing a study schedule and help them follow it with discipline.
3. Reading and discussing books as a family, playing board games like Scrabble and Catan, ice skating, hiking, growing vegetables, and spending time in nature greatly helps children in developing positive personality attributes. (https://waliulasr.ca/device-free-fun/)
4. Sports play a critical role in developing character and personality attributes that impact many other facets of life. Parents should speak to children about never cheating in sports, about playing competitively and seriously, about accepting loses gracefully, about team work and about striving to excel. We also strongly recommend parents to make every effort to join their children in sports.
5. Sports are also a great way to develop brotherhood/sisterhood and good Akhlaq. Foul language, unhealthy aggression, inability to have a healthy competition and a negative demeanor in sports often becomes part of a child’s personality and should be addressed at an early age.
By the grace of Allah, Wali ul Asr graduates continue to excel spiritually, academically and professionally and are great role models for current students. You can read about our alumni at www.waliulasr.ca/alumni .
May Allah enable us to raise children who have greatness and nobility and are wonderful ambassadors of our beautiful faith InshaAllah.
