explaining religon to kids....?

Question

okay i'm going to volunteer at the library this summer for the kids program ages 5-12 and i wear a hijab(headcover) i know some kids especially younger will ask me questions such as "why do u wear that thing" or "why are u so covered its summer" how should i answer them nicely so they can understand that i'm muslim and stuff thanx.

i wear my hijab for many reasons
God commanded me to do so in the Quran, i feel closer to God spiritually and religously, i love my hijab it's just a part of me i wear it the same reason everyone wears clothes to cover up what people (in this case men) are not allowed to see.

so many good answers this will be hard to chose the best answer

Answer 1

Salam again my sister,
My close friend has been in a simmilar situation with kids from 6 -16 .
**For young kids 6-10 she used to say " I'm muslim & it looks nice on me .....isn't it ? " and they laugh and usually they don't ask so many questions.
**For those who are 10-16 the answer could be a little bit in details "I'm a muslim & in Islam a girl shoulwear a hijab "headcover" ...if they asked the "wh" questions :
Why = to protect herself &becasue it's a part of my religion.
When = try to be simple and answer them that it's when a girl turns 15 or 16. ...........and so on.
Don't go into so many details , in this point I agree with "Layla's answer" that parents could get angry.
**Don't read any book for them for the previous reason.
**Don't say it's for personal reasons ,be proud of being a muslim.
**Don't say muslim traditions ,say Islamic religion :) .
**Finaly you could add ,like a nun is covering her hair due to being a Chrestian nun ,we muslim girls cover our hair due to being muslim girls.
Hope it helps.

Answer 2

Ya Ukhti..:-)
Try to explain it to them in a very kid-friendly voice that Muslim women wear it and that you really like to wear it even in the summer. I was asked that a lot when I started wearing my headcover so hopefully that answers it. If they go on and insist that you tell them as to why you're wearing it..then i'd agree that you tell them what ss1819 said, that you are like a shiny expensive pearl or diamond that does not show her skin because she is honoured and that you don't mind wearing it even in the summer.I am fully covered in the summer and I don't feel hot at all. If you strongly believe in something (like wearing the headcover) depending on how you value it, you won't feel silly things like the hot weather! For example if you're a vegan, and you strongly oppose cruelty to animals, would small things like cow's milk and meat discourage you from being a vegan?

Answer 3

I would tell them openly and honestly, I didn't wear a hijab but I used to wear my head wrapped all the time, I'm not Muslim but I respected the reason why Muslim women do choose to wear them. I would just explain it is part of your religion and culture and it helps you distinguish yourself to the world that you are serious about your beliefs.

Answer 4

Assalaamu alaikum sister

I think you should tell the children the truth but without going too into it. I did volunteer work in an elementary school last year and many of the students asked me "why do you wear that?" and "why do you cover your hair?". I told them the truth. I said that I wear it because of my religion and because it makes God happy because God wants women to be treated like pearls and that the covering protects us just like a pearl is protected by its shell.

The kids are so cute and you will love working with them but don't stress over this. Just tell them the truth without going too into the details because they are kids and they won't understand all of the details. Give them the basics.

And don't worry about them judging you for it because I promise you they will not because they are children and children are innocent.

Have fun working with the children! :)

Answer 5

I agree with Kjelstad. I'd just tell them it's a muslim tradition. Most of them probably won't have an attention span long enough to bother trying to explain the muslim religion to them. =)

Just wondering....that's what I'd say to my kids if they asked me about someone wearing a hijab. Is there something you'd prefer the kids knowing?

Answer 6

Small kids are naturally curious. I would just answer their questions honestly. Maybe if a kid has a bunch of questions, you could point out a book on your religion made for kids. I am a Christian but my daughter and I have been learning about many different religions and the differences. I know I have found a bunch of children’s books that my seven year old daughter really understood.

Answer 7

I think that's great that those children will be exposed to a good image of a Muslim before they're old enough to watch Fox News!

I would just tell them that in your religion, people believe that God indicated that women should dress a certain way (then explain how) and that you are just following what you believe in.

Answer 8

i have heard some new teachers complain about this...well not complain--ask---you just tell them you are muslim and they will say what is a muslim and you could say somebody that loves God --simple things like that. Yes, it might confuse them a bit--but that is life. One day you will have kids coming home confused about Santa and the Tooth Fairy.

Or you can do what a woman I know did and say, because I like it! lol

they will probably ask to see your hair --they always seem to do that. like muhammad said--if you are in a closed area take it off.

they might try to take after you too...i was at an airport and i saw a girl take her sister's baby blanket and put it on her head and everybody was laughing--i turned around to see and she saw me --her eyes got SO BIG...and she took it off real quick lol

Answer 9

as a substitute teacher grades K-12, I have come across this problem

Why do you wear that?
Are you hot?

I wear this because it is apart of my religion. Is usually my reply. If they ask more I try to stay as vague as possible so that I do not upset parents.

I wear this because it goes so well with my outfit. Is a reply that I use for younger children. They usually do not understand religion and do not ask more questions.

Am I hot no not at all

Answer 10

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