“Is it time for lunch already?”
I know it’s Ramadhan, but I still have to feed my youngest his meals. As a busy parent, mealtimes can often feel like a bit of a whirlwind. Between prepping food, cleaning up from the previous meal and convincing my toddler that this is what he wants to eat, it’s sometimes a struggle. But actually, when I sit down and have a chat with him or read him a book while he eats, meal times become more relaxed and fun for us both. That’s where these wipe clean learning mats come in.
As he is becoming more of an independent eater, my books are getting dirty, so we’ve brought back our Animals from Alif to Ya wipe clean placemats. This goes down under his food and we talk about the animals on it. We look for them, mention their names in Arabic and English and retell our favourite stories, replacing the animals – Crocodile in our story now becomes timsaah and tiger becomes namir. Sometimes we just play spot the animal or find the Arabic letter.
I’m a big believer in “incidental learning” – the idea that children learn best when they don’t even realise they’re doing it. Learning just happens as part of whatever else is happening that day. That’s why I designed these Arabic Animals Wipe-Clean Mats and why I use them with my own children.
Here are a few creative ways to use these mats at home to build your child’s confidence in Arabic, from breakfast through to bedtime.
- The “I Spy” Mealtime Challenge
While your child is waiting for their food, play a quick game of “I Spy.”
“I spy an animal that starts with the letter Jeem!”
“I spy something green on the mat!” This builds instant letter-sound association and keeps little hands busy while they wait for their plate. - Trace & Erase (Fine Motor Fun)
Because the mats are laminated, they work perfectly with dry-erase markers. After a meal, give your child a pen and let them trace the letters or circle the animals you name. It’s a fantastic way to build fine motor skills and build letter formation habits. Just wipe it clean with a damp cloth, and it’s ready for next time!
- Sensory Play with Play-Doh
Who says placemats are only for food? The smooth, wipe-clean surface makes these a perfect base for Play-Doh. Ask your child to roll “snakes” of dough and shape them into the Arabic letters they see on the mat. This tactile, Montessori-inspired approach helps them internalise the shapes of the Alif-Ba-Ta.
- Level Up with Animal Names
Our new mats are double-sided for a reason! Once your child is comfortable with the letters, flip the mat over to focus on the full animal names. With included tashkeel (vowels), it’s a great bridge for older children who are starting to read words in the Quran or in Arabic storybooks.
Want one too…they are on sale this Ramadhan and make a great gift too!
If you’re looking to refresh your “learning kit” this season, you can find our Arabic Animals Wipe-Clean Mats right here – On Sale for Ramadhan.
How do you incorporate Arabic into your daily routine? We’d love to hear your tips! Hit reply and let us know.