Ahmed Hamed – A Practical Program For Parents to Enable Productive Summer for Children- Day 7

			Assalamu alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh al hamdu Lillahi Rabbil alameen wa salatu salam ala
rasulillah Karim while early he was happy he is married. I will let him in a shaytani r rajim
Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem robina. habla Naaman, as Virgina was the Ria Tina kurata, Yun wotja Tina
mama rubbish, really sorry, we are silly emri aka data melissani? Yes, who totally do your brothers
and sisters, welcome again to our seventh session, which is the last session of our program on how
to make our children's summer most productive. When hamdulillah we have actually reached to the, you
know, culmination point and we have covered so far Subhana Allah in the day one productivity in an
		

			Islamic perspective, we talked about the program showing the importance of the program, talking
about the approach that we have actually taken in order to empower ourselves in this, you know, area
of expertise. In day two, we talked about the 10 golden rules of parenting with the introduction of
key areas that we have defined those five key areas. In day three, we talked about the productivity
or in terms of spirituality, which is the priority for us as parents for the development of our
children, inshallah, day four, we focused on morals and manners development and how important
o'clock and character building is, for us as parents for the development of our children. day five,
		

			we covered social development and that is the key to how our children can connect themselves and
move in the society as the influencing people, they should not be the ones who should be influenced
with the wrong things rather, they should actually influence with their goodness in sha Allah in the
society. So they should be the agent of, you know, change for good, or goodness in sha Allah. day
six, we have covered the physical development talking that Islam talks about holistic development,
not just spiritual, and leaving the morals or social, rather spiritual, moral manners, social as
well as physical development, and we talked about how important it is for us to take care of our own
		

			health and our children's health, and so that they may become, you know, a strong believers and
strong worshipers of Allah subhanho wa Taala. So, this is what we have Alhamdulillah covered so far,
with the help of Allah subhanho wa Taala. Today, in our last session, we should talk about another
important area of development, and that is skills development. So, you know, this is, again, a very
key and, you know, area that we as parents have to focus in terms of making sure that our
children's, you know, they they enhance their skill. So, what is the skill, a skill is the ability
to carry out a task with determined results, you know, often with a given amount of time, energy or
		

			both. So, it's actually the ability to do something well, or with expertise, and skills,
development, you know, it covers basically activities, such as improving self awareness, improving
self knowledge, building or renewing self esteem, developing strengths, or talents. So this is what
you know, the skills, you know, that we can actually talk about. Now, again, as you all are down,
you know, by now familiar with our approach, three E's through five W's and one edge and three E's,
let's talk about the educate, the second being, you know, evaluate and third being empowered. So
let's begin with educate now. Now, what is the skills development in general, that we want to focus
		

			in our children so the,
		

			the base or the foundation for us to develop our children's skill set is it begins with the
identification of the skills that your child has Alhamdulillah our children are gifted with certain
skills and and they have certain expertise. we as parents need to identify those skill sets. What is
you know, great about our child, is he a good speaker is a good thinker. He's a good writer. He
		

			is a, you know, a problem solver, his memory is good, or he's very good reader, you know, he
observes very carefully, he is a very nice presenter, he is very excellent in writing, what is that
skill that we could find in our children, that is what we need to first identify the number of
skills that our child has. And this is really important for us to educate, you know, the skills
because, you know, what differentiates from one kid to other is, is this is there skills, you know,
perhaps all children are gifted with skills, but sometimes what happens if parents, they don't focus
on your children, if the parents, as parents, we don't focus on our children's skills that they
		

			have, then what happens is later, you know, sooner or later it dies. So, what we need to do is
number one, we need to actually identify the skills in in their lives, and let them be aware of it,
let them know that they have the skill set, let them understand that they have the skills, so that
that self awareness that we talked about, it will be obvious for them and they will start focusing
on observing on it, when is it required. So, you see the skills are basically plenty of them. So, we
need to actually see when that skill is required, sometimes, you know, the skills which are commonly
seen and observed is thinking skills, speaking skills, you know, problem solving skills, listening
		

			skills, you know, memory skills, and so on. So, we need to see when those skills are required, and
provide them the regular platform for them to practice those skills. And one very important thing,
which I would like to share with all of you is that we need to know that we cannot curb their
skills, rather, we need to channelize their skills, we need to direct their skills, you know, and
that is really, really important because a person might have, you know, biggest skill set, but if
he's using in the wrong thing, then he will bring nothing but anger of Allah subhanho wa Taala. And
we do not want that for our children, isn't it. So we need to ensure that we are out and we direct
		

			we channelize their skills in the right direction, because, you know, for example, with a good
voice, a person can become a singer, and own the anger of Allah Subhana huhtala. Or he could use the
same skill of you know, his voice, and become Akari. And he will be big, and he'll be you know,
beloved, and he will be beloved to Allah subhanaw taala and will be among the best of the people as
Prophet sallallahu alayhi Salaam said, the one who learns and teaches the Quran is the best, right?
So we need to know that first we identify the skills in our children, we need to know it is really
important that makes them you know, competitive, that makes them you know a better than others that
		

			makes them more talented than others because the efficiency or the ability, or the mastery or the
competence that our children should have, should, should have is a kind of a key differentiator
between others. So this is really important for us. Now, who should develop it obviously, as
parents, once again, it's our job, it's our duty to develop that skills in them. So they have
natural abilities. As I said, first we need to recognize those make him aware that he has the
skills, acknowledge and encourage the skills that he has enabled them to focus on their potential
and provide them regular platform so that you know, with this supportive environment, they can
		

			actually demonstrate their skills. So this is
		

			you know, how we can actually do it. So how to develop the skill sets, list down the skills that we
talked about, for example, thinking skills.
		

			Let's use this summer for them to
		

			you know, boost their skills in defined areas. For example, as I mentioned, thinking skills
		

			speaking skills, problem solving skills, listening skills, memory skills, reading skills,
observational skills, presentation skills, writing skills, you know, planning skills, you know,
dialogue skills, or research skills, study skills, organizing skills, these are all the list of
skills that we could actually see in our child. And what whatever that we see, we have to first
recognize it, appreciate and acknowledge it, make it obvious to him and provide him supportive
environment again and again. So that he may actually practice the skills that he has, because he
needs to realize that these skills are gifts from Allah subhana wa Tada. This is very important for
		

			us as parents, you know, for us to actually learn and teach it to our children, that whenever any
skill is given to us, it is the name of some Allah, it's a blessing from Allah subhanho wa Taala. So
we do not boast or we don't, you know, be proud or boastful about what we have because it is indeed
from Allah subhanho wa Taala. So, that is the reason as believers we say, Hola, La quwata illa
Billah there is no power except the power of Allah subhanho wa Taala except the word of Allah
subhanaw taala except the strength of Allah subhanaw taala So, it is from the from the teaching
methodology that we need to understand that we teach our children look my son, Abdullah, Allah has
		

			given you a powerful mind Subhana Allah, you are so good in in remembering things, you know, in
recollecting things and I can testify that you know from my own personal life, my own child, for
example, if I take him to any, you know, area and I fly take him after six months, he would
recognize a movie came to this area before isn't it? And I have to acknowledge Yes, yes, my son, we
did come here in the past. So, they have amazing power of memory, you know, and so, we tell them
look, this is from Allah subhanaw taala. So, number one, you should tank Allah subhanho wa Taala for
the skill that you have blessed with number two, you should
		

			you know, make sure that you recognize that skill number three, you need to work on that skill, so
that you can be more you know, x you can become more expert in what you have. So, how to develop it,
you you you put all these skills, and you you give him or her games or you know skids or plan
something in and around areas where they can actually develop their thinking skills or listening
skills or speaking skills, organize a platform for them to actually demonstrate that presentation
skills. So, this is how we basically can, you know, have that and one important methodology is to
keep them responsible. See, response, taking responsibility is also a skill, it's a leadership
		

			skills, that should develop in our children's life. So, for example, in the summer holidays, let
them you know, bring for example, you know, fish tank for example, right. So, when you when they
bring fish tank in the home,
		

			keep them responsible that you have to ensure that you feed him once a day for example, right, or
you bring anything with you, which is comfortable or which is you know, easier or convenient for
you. So, the whole point is make them responsible. So, what will happen is, they will plan so they
they learn planning skills, they will organize things, so, they will learn organizing, organizing
skills, they will learn, you know, punctuality, they will learn regularity, they will learn, you
know, that bondage or that belongingness that they have for certain things. So, this is how we
actually also can, you know, develop their skill sets. So, this is pretty much what you can actually
		

			as parents, you know, show showcase their skills in that pattern. Let's move on to the second E
which is, you know, evaluate, evaluate their skills. What is skills evaluation, you know, for
example, if you want to evaluate their listening skills, so, let them put, put them into a test and
for five minutes, let's see, if they don't tell them they should not speak anything, but they should
listen very carefully, and they should give the summary first.
		

			Example, put the lecture of, you know, any speaker or any scholar on on TV or on on laptop or on
mobile, and let them watch it for five minutes or 10 minutes, and then switch off that program, and
let them give you the summary the essence or their general understanding of what they have,
		

			you know, summarized this lecture of 10 minutes in couple of minutes, that will show their, you
know,
		

			evaluation of how perfectly or how keenly they are listening, right, this is a really important the
evaluation methodology is really important, because this will tell you, what stage your child is on
what level that he stands out, right, when is it required evaluation is required or, you know, on
and off, periodically, you know, regularly it is required, because the more you evaluate, the more
it becomes better. And again, it comes back to us who should evaluate, it's we as parents have to
evaluate we know them, well, really devil and we will evaluate them well, when we need to evaluate
we need to evaluate in certain areas, as I mentioned, you know, you define the areas which we will,
		

			you know, as I shared already with you thinking skills, speaking skills, problem solving skills,
listening skills, memory skills, reading skills, observational skills, presentation skills, writing
skills, planning skills, you know, all these skills, when you write it down, you will, you know,
analyze, these are the areas that I need to evaluate my child inshallah, this summer, and I must
make sure that he should pick up and improve upon in at least certain skills. And as I said, how to
evaluate all our evaluation methodology is the same for all areas of development. And that is,
number one, ask questions, ask questions, the more you ask questions, the more you get answers, the
		

			more you get answers, the more it helps you to evaluate them better to make them, you know, better
in terms of their scope of improvement, and their energy and their enthusiasm. All things can be
routed, well. If you ask questions you will get to know when you get to know you will be able to
direct them in a proper direction. Right? That's number one. Number two, observe and make an
analysis, for example, observe, is he speaking really well, you know, sometimes when we don't
realize that our child has amazing, you know, skill of presenting things. So if you give him a
topic, and then he presented wonderfully, he speaks really sweet and he speaks what you know, really
		

			well. So in an articulate manner, right. So when you observe their skills, shine it, let them know,
you spoke very well, my son Abdullah, or my daughter, Amina, you did a wonderful job Subhana, Allah
barakallahu Li, now make sure that you have the skill you improve you work on it, so that they can
actually do it. So that's again, another way of evaluating experimenting experiment, by putting them
into a test into a competition into any challenge or something or the other, and check their levels
again and again. So that you know the before and after effect, give them ownership of things, you
know, when you For example, want to organize, you know, kids party, let them lead that party. So,
		

			you will see and observe in them, the organizational skills, that they have the planning skills, let
them plan all the things, what the children should have, what should they you know, eat, what should
they drink, where they should sit, where they should play, all sorts of things. So, when they get
the ownership, the evaluation comes out very, very, very well. So this is again another beautiful
way of evaluating them. That's number two, he that's evaluate right, number three is empowered, what
is skills empowerment? Now, skills, empowerment is something which which we see in our child that
out shines and and becomes manifest. For example, one fine day he comes out and he falls you know, a
		

			very, very critical puzzle for example, so he has the ability of problem solving. So you tell or you
know, for example, you share with your child
		

			and look up the law or your daughter for that matter, Amina. I have this problem. This is the
problem. This is the situation. Can you please
		

			suggest me, how can I solve this problem. So they then start thinking, so that triggers their
thinking skills. Now the person is thinking right now your child is thinking, he or she wants to
come up with a solution for the problem that you have. So when you throw a problem, they find out or
they start finding out the solution. So this is another way how you can actually see a manifest
skills, empowerment, it is really important skills. empowerment is really important for our
children, because they are an Amana for us. And we need to empower them in all the areas, whether it
is spiritual, social, manners, morals, physical, or skills for that matter. So it's really important
		

			and it's required in an early age as well, because the more they equipped, you know, the early they
equipped with the skills, the better the chances that they can become more expert on those skills.
So it's, it's, it's, it's better to have these skills possessed as early as possible. Now, who
should empower it, again, it comes back to us, we as parents must take that first priority in our
lives to empower our the skills of our children. And teachers also can make a role in empowering the
skills of our children or siblings can also make
		

			a role of empowering the skills of their, of your children. So there are different parties that can,
you know, play a role in terms of empowering your children skills development,
		

			where we need empowerment, as we said, list, list down those areas of skillsets, and ensure that
each area is properly educated, it's properly evaluated. And then we can find out the need of
empowerment of that particular skill set. Finally, how to empower it. Again, we have the five DS,
you know, policy to empower our children's development, be it spiritual, be it physical, be it
morals or manners, be it social, be it physical, no be IT skills for that matter. So the first D is
our ask Allah to give your children the ability to speak well, for example, to listen well, to think
well, to read well, to write well to observe all to present well, to, to remember well, so when you
		

			have this draft for your child, it really, really helps and teach your child there are which is
related with knowledge with learning, learning new things, learning skills, right? And this is
really, really important. Let them you know, memorize this one, which is the, you know, very
shortly, Robbie z, Dini, Alma,
		

			I'm sure perhaps most of you know about it, most of your children know about, but let them get the
sense and the potential of this tool, which you are besieging. And you're seeking the help of Allah,
to give you to grant you the ability of knowledge, of learning, of understanding this is really,
really important. So when your child knows that he has to ask Allah for the skills that he has to
empower it, or for the skills that he wants to acquire it, or for the skills that he wants to
continually improve upon, it becomes much more, you know, effective, and they themselves also make
dua to Allah subhanaw taala. And when you as parents make dua for your child. So this is the first
		

			step. The second step is devise a plan. As I said, list down the things are the areas of the skills
that you think your child has, perhaps he's a very good footballer, or perhaps he's a very, very
good swimmer, or he is having a brilliant thinking skills, or he is an amazing speaker, or he has a
critical analysis, ability of problem solving. He is amazing in terms of his memory, put down, write
down you know, your child will write down those skills that you think that your child is blessed
with. When you write it down. You can actually devise a plan to empower your child in those pockets
are those areas of expertise that your child can improve upon, so that the devise a plan step two.
		

			Number three, develop a strategy when you develop a strategy
		

			Do you actually create platforms and possibilities and opportunities for your child to actually
practice those plans, right, if you planning you, there is no chance of practicing that plan, then
obviously, that plan is of no use planning without action is is is void is having no sense, right.
So make sure that you provide opportunities and possibilities for your child to implement that plan,
as a part of strategy that we have.
		

			You know, and I gave you a few tips and examples as well, that you you organize, you know, a session
and give the ownership to your child, for the kids area, you should take care of it, you should take
care of their every affair that they have, you know, and organize a competition, for example, let
them all perform and see how best they go, appreciate everyone appreciate every cut the good and the
bad, and then evaluate them and make them to and push them to a higher level. So that's developed a
strategy. So it could go purely case to case basis. But yes, the you know, the point is, is is
general and universal, and you fit yourself how you can do it well, case to case basis in Sharla,
		

			the fourth D, the fourth step of D is demonstrate for them as an example. For example, as I
mentioned, you watch, sit with them, you watch 10 minutes of clipping for any chef or any, you know,
speaker, and let them also watch with you. And after watching for 10 minutes, shut down and give him
the summary of what you could actually grasp or give the sense of what you understood from that 10
minutes of lecture, when they see you doing this, they will have the encouragement to do the same,
they will have the you know,
		

			you know, quest to do or to copy the same. So you demonstrate for them. And that's a beautiful and
the closest and the powerful example for them to actually do it. Similarly, you can actually do a
speaking presentation, problem solving, you know, listening, thinking or any skills that we talked
about. So when you demonstrate for them as an example for them to follow, it becomes more relevant
and this will, this is how we can actually empower our children's skills development, finally, drive
them with motivational words, rewards and appreciations. You know, this is again, I would repeat,
this is really, really important. Our children, the Omaha's Prophet, sallAllahu, Alayhi, wa sallam,
		

			they need motivation.
		

			You know, because somehow their lives are clouded with negativity, whether it's through media or
environment or whatever. So you give them motivational words, nice words, positive words, positive,
you know, phrases, use it for them, tell them I love you for the sake of Allah, tell them I know you
can do better tell them that you have an amazing skills gap gifted by Allah Subhana Allah give them
rewards and awards, you know, it's, it's, it's a significant way of boosting their energy level and,
and their, you know, tempo for certain things. So give them rewards, avoid them. And when you do
that, they you will see the transformation. It is very, very powerful. appreciate them in front of
		

			others, tell them that hamdulillah Allah has blessed me with a beautiful kid, you know, beautiful
daughter, beautiful son, who is amazing in these skills. So when you appreciate them, this again
plays a significant role for them to actually, you know, improve upon empower themselves. And that's
how we can meet our objective of making their skills developed and empowered in sha Allah. Allah, my
brothers and sisters, I must say, Zach Lowe hiren will accidentally Jamia Allah subhanho wa Taala
reward all of you for being so patient and listening to our program, and, you know, going through
this journey, which is, I'm sure it brings some or the other way benefit to myself to all of you in
		

			your lives in our lives. And it definitely ignites our attention towards our children, who is the
own mouth Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. So when you have
		

			Have your children, make sure that you live with the sense that there is an omen of Prophet
sallallahu alayhi Salaam that is living under you. So you as supervisors, leaders, mentors, parents,
guardians, you know, their governors, guide them, govern them, direct them, take them and lead them
in the ways that are most pleasing to Allah subhanho wa Taala. And as we discussed, five areas that
you can define very clearly, very openly, and write down and you have a summary in your hand, make
sure that we use our children's time before they lose their time. Because once it passes by, never
it's gonna come back. And then and that's the reason we say repair yourself before you regret. So
		

			you repent before you regret so we prepare ourselves before we lose anything. And and that's the,
you know, proactive way of a believer that is taught in Islam, we asked Allah subhanho wa Taala to
help us benefit from what all we have learned in terms of spiritual development and social
development, morals and manners, development, you know, physical development, and finally, skills
development. But I must tell you, make sure that spirituality should be the number one priority for
us in terms of developing our children, that should be you know, the the topmost priority and
obviously, we should not leave any area for that matter in terms of the development of our children.
		

			We ask Allah subhanho wa Taala to make our spouses, our children, you know, the coolness of our
eyes, and make them the leaders of the pain of the conscious people. Let us gain this momentum. Let
us relate this momentum in our children's life and let them be torchbearers, leaders and shining
agents of goodness in sha Allah, Allah He to Allah with the help and permission of Allah Subhana
Allah wa Salam alaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh