How can I reintroduce patience into activities my child now expects to be “instantly easy” because of tech? 

Parenting Perspective 

Technology often delivers immediate results, from quick-loading games to instant answers online, which can make offline activities feel slow and unappealing to children. To reintroduce patience, you need to make these slower activities feel engaging while helping your child find value in the process, not just the final outcome. 

Start with Short, Gradual Challenges 

Begin with tasks that require only a few minutes of focused effort. This could be building a small part of a larger construction set or helping with one simple stage of baking. You can gradually increase the duration as their tolerance and focus grow. 

Add Curiosity and Storytelling 

Frame the activity as a journey of discovery rather than a chore. If you are gardening, for example, you can talk about the amazing process of how a tiny seed uses time, water, and sunlight to grow into a plant. Using stories adds meaning and engages their curiosity. 

Celebrate Progress Milestones 

Be sure to highlight the small wins along the way, not just the final finished product. Acknowledging their steady effort or a newly mastered step shifts their focus from speed to progress, which helps to build their confidence. 

When children learn to enjoy and engage with activities that require time and care, they strengthen their focus, persistence, and their appreciation for the beauty of gradual growth. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places profound value on the quality of patience (sabr), recognising it as an essential attribute for success in this life and the next, and a means of growing closer to Allah Almighty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Aalai Imran (3), Verse 200: 

‘ O you who are believers, be patient, and be resilient, and be constant, and attain piety from Allah (Almighty) so that you may be successful.‘ 

This reminds us that endurance and steadfast commitment are essential ingredients for achieving true and lasting success. 

It is recorded in Riyadh Al Saliheen, Hadith 26, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘There is no gift better and more comprehensive than patience.’ 

This teaches us that patience is one of the greatest blessings a person can be given, enriching every aspect of life, including the way we approach daily challenges and goals. 

By guiding your child to rediscover the value of patience in everyday activities, you help them to build resilience and align their habits with the Islamic understanding that the truest rewards often come after steady, committed effort.