Darwishndarwisya

"Bersegeralah dalam mendidik anak sebelum kesibukan melalaikanmu, kerana sesungguhnya apabila anakmu telah berumur dewasa dan berakal (tetapi tidak terdidik) maka dia akan menyibukkan (menyusahkan) hatimu dengan keburukkan"..

Alhamdulillah Allah bagi ilham, and thanks to a soon-to-be mommy friend, I re-visit Pn Lina Karim's blog, http://darwishndarwisya.blogspot.com. I found her blog way before I gave birth to Airin in 2010, and I was soo inspired. I was in awe.

So much so, last year we celebrated Airin's 2nd birthday, 26th May 2012,  by going to Pn Lina's Kursus Mendidik Anak-anak Membaca Al-Quran. Its a revelation! Every child can do it. Super inspired, bought hijriah flashcard and went on full throttle. 

The engine cools off after a few months. (Never really died tho)

Back to the story. So this morning I re-visit the blog.

Gulp.

"Diam tak diam, sudah hampir 25 surah yang dihafal oleh anak saya, jauh dari sasaran saya iaitu cuma 17 surah sebelum umur 3 tahun."

At the age of 2 years 11 months, Darwisya has memorized 25 surah.

At almost Airin's age, she has memorized 25 surah!

I remember thinking, her daughter is an angel. Looking so obedient and bright. But now I know my daughter is too! She sweetly copies everything I say, like any 3-year-old. 

All babies can do it. I really believed that. It has been proven that they have that ability in them. As Pn Lina said, after her daughter, she tries it with her son (to see if only the daughter is somewhat a genius), and the son could too. It means every child can.

.

.

.

So WE failed her.

One day, she will turn her face at me and say, "Ummi yang tak ajar kakak!" 

T_____T

But it's not too late. Although only at Al-Ikhlas and little bit of Fatihah, and almost all hijriah (all except 6 letters). 

Its not easy. In between me not providing only the best food to her (Pn Lina only gives kurma and nuts as sweets to her children whereas I feed her everything -__-) and me being at home with her only 6pm onwards where she would be too sleepy or tired by 8 pm, it's difficult. 

Struggling with the Hijriah, I knew. Only managed to do it on weekends mostly (excluding weekends spent at in-laws!), it takes me more than a year to get it done. Bila dah tinggal a few weeks, it took as long to memorize it again. But you know what,  the confidence you gain as they progress - priceless! Knowing they can do it. (But careful not to put the pressure too much - the delight and disappointed face I wear is sometimes too much for her - she will be pressured sampai jadi cranky, you know how children tries so hard to please their parents)

Oh, can't wait for the day where she got it all correct and I can start this book series with her (Pn Lina's recommendation; starting with Book 1)

Pn Lina said at that age her daughter can do a surah a week. Actually, the best way to start memorizing is by reading, not merely memorizing by listening, hence why mengenal hijriah is so important. As the mother to Pn Lina advice us at the kursus (we met her masa makan-makan), the first and hardest step is the flash card kenal huruf, after that once you start with the book it'll be easier. Anyhow, I think it help to familiarize them with the surah by memorizing bit by bit by listening while we get the hijriyah done.

I truly believe children should be let to play at this age. I would not want to pressure her with reading. But Quran is a different thing. If nothing else can protect our child at this difficult times and era, be sure the Quranic verse he/she has in their hearts can. Wallahu'alam.

"Bersegeralah dalam mendidik anak sebelum kesibukan melalaikanmu, kerana sesungguhnya apabila anakmu telah berumur dewasa dan berakal (tetapi tidak terdidik) maka dia akan menyibukkan (menyusahkan) hatimu dengan keburukkan."