Poetry Challenge

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One way parents can teach a concept as broad as integrity to children is to use examples of experiences that are consistent in their lives. Many children rely on their friends for companionship, entertainment, and communication on a regular basis.

Teaching about integrity through friendships can help children better understand what integrity is and how to better value it. The goal of this activity is to give your child the opportunity to share their ideas on friendship with the world by writing a poem of their very own!

Being a good friend can mean being trustworthy, keeping promises, being respectful and honest, we are even reminded of this in the Holy Quran, Allah (SWT) says:

“Friends on the Day will be enemies one to another, except al-Muttaqun (i.e. those who have piety).” (43:67)

“And those who are to their trusts and promises attentive. And those who are in their testimonies upright. And those who [carefully] maintain their prayer: They will be in gardens, honored.” (70:32-35)

We are told of what a good companion looks like in the following hadith:

The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Friendship is something that is valued not only by humans but most importantly by Allah (SWT).

Have your child tell us what it means to be a good friend in poem form. Once you submit your poem by video or picture, we will post it right here on the Noor Kids blog!

This Islamic activity is a prelude to the story, “Be True, Be You“, in our newest book, “Take the High Road.”

Age

This Islamic activity is suitable for 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8-year-olds.

Time

This activity should take roughly 15-30 minutes.

Materials

  • Pencil
  • Whitepaper
  • Colored pencils, markers or crayons
  • Thesaurus, books, or magazines for word ideas

Part One – Brainstorm Your Poem (10-15 Minutes)

Have your children think of words that describe their friends or themselves as friends. If your child needs guidance please see the following word list, “20 Words That Describe a Good Friend.”

To get the creative juices going, ask your child questions like:

  • What do you enjoy about your friends?
  • Why do you like having friends?
  • Why is having a friend important?
  • What is special about your friends?

Part Two – Write Your Poem & Share (10-15 Minutes)

1) Give your child a white piece of paper and choose what form of a poem they will be writing. For example, you could choose, Acrostic, Cinquain or Free Verse Poetry. Rules do not usually apply when young children write a poem. The poem could be rhyming or non rhyming and in any form the child feels comfortable. Your child can make the poem as little as three lines or up to 10 lines long.

2) Encourage your child to draw a picture of their poem to give more of a visual.

3) Once finished, submit the poem by taking a picture or recording a video and posting it here.

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