How can grandparents and other relatives help my child enjoy learning? 

Parenting Perspective 

Sharing Stories and Lived Experiences 

Grandparents and extended relatives offer a unique and deeply valuable role in a child’s learning journey. Their stories, lived experiences, and gentle wisdom create a sense of continuity and belonging that the classroom cannot replicate. Invite them to share personal stories of their own schooling, challenges they overcame, or the Duas they recited in difficult times. These conversations help children view learning not as a distant task, but as something lived and loved across generations. 

Sparking Joy Through Simple Activities 

Simple activities, such as reading a book together, sharing a childhood game, or explaining the meaning behind a family tradition, can spark joy and curiosity. When a grandparent sits down and says, ‘This is the prayer my father taught me when I was your age,’ it transforms abstract lessons into personal legacy. These moments bring faith, resilience, and learning together in the most natural, heartwarming way. 

The Power of an Elder’s Presence 

Even asking a child, ‘What did you learn today at school?’ with sincere interest can deepen motivation and connection. Relatives do not need to provide formal tuition, they only need to show up with warmth, curiosity, and encouragement. In a world often rushing towards performance, the slow, attentive presence of an elder can become a powerful source of calm and inspiration. 

Encouraging these intergenerational bonds also reinforces your child’s emotional well-being. They begin to see themselves as part of something bigger, a family that values learning, stories, and shared wisdom. This makes learning feel less like an isolated task and more like a joyful, communal journey. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam honours the wisdom and contribution of elders as essential to a child’s development. Grandparents are often the quiet carriers of culture, faith, and tradition. 

Allah Almighty mentions in the noble Quran at Surah Luqman (31), Verse 13: 

“And when (Prophet) Luqman (AS) said to his son, whilst he was offering him enlightened direction: “O my son, do not ascribe to anything (which amounts to icon worshipping paganism), instead of (worshipping) Allah (Almighty) – indeed, this kind of icon worshipping paganism is the worst form of darkness (of ignorance and immorality).” “

This verse opens a series of deeply reflective and practical teachings from a father to his child. It underscores the value of family-based instruction, where advice is given with love, spiritual grounding, and foresight. 

It is recorded in Jami Tirmidhi, Hadith 1919, that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ showed deep respect to the elderly and valued their insight. His regard for the wisdom of age reminds us that education is not limited to formal schooling. A grandparent’s guidance, offered with sincerity and lived experience, can carry immense weight in shaping a child’s heart and understanding. 

Encourage elders in your family to contribute spiritually too. A grandmother teaching a short Surah or a grandfather explaining the story behind a favourite Dua can leave lasting imprints on your child’s Imaan. It also strengthens the sense that Islam is not only taught in books but lived in families. 

Involving grandparents and relatives in your child’s learning is more than a support strategy it is an embodiment of our tradition. It teaches children that wisdom does not always wear a school badge. Sometimes, it comes with a soft voice, wrinkled hands, and a heart full of stories passed down with love.