What helps a child include peers with different abilities in games? 

Parenting Perspective 

Children may understandably hesitate to include peers with different abilities in their games because they are unsure how to adapt the activity or they fear that the pace of play will slow down. Guiding them to be actively inclusive builds vital character traits such as empathy, creativity, and fairness. It teaches them that the true purpose of games is not just winning, but sharing joy, teamwork, and kindness. 

Explaining the Value of Inclusion 

Begin by defining the goal of the game as connection and shared fun, rather than strict competition. 

Tell your child: “Everyone deserves to feel part of the fun. Including others shows respect and kindness, even if the game looks a little different than usual.” 

This sets the primary goal as genuine connection, shifting the focus away from pure competition. 

Teaching Adaptable Play 

Help your child develop a mindset of flexibility by suggesting simple modifications to game rules or roles. 

Help them think of small, practical adjustments: 

• Choose roles that specifically match each child’s current strengths. 

• Consciously slow down the pace of the game when needed. 

• Add supportive roles, such as “scorekeeper,” “referee,” or “coach.” 

This flexibility ensures that everyone can participate meaningfully and enjoy the activity. 

Practising for Inclusive Moments 

Use role-play to build comfort in interacting with peers who might require accommodations. 

Role-play simple scenarios: Parent (pretending to need extra time): “Can I play too?” Child (guided): “Yes, we will take turns slower so it is fair for everyone.” 

Practising helps your child respond with kindness and confidence in real-life situations. 

Encouraging Peer Support 

Provide your child with specific language that makes the act of inclusion feel warm, natural, and helpful. 

Teach helpful phrases: 

• “Do you want me to help you with this part of the game?” 

• “Let us play together you can take this important role.” 

Praising Inclusive Actions 

Affirm and reward the thoughtful action itself, not just the successful completion of the game. 

When your child adapts a game, affirm it: “I loved how you changed the rules so everyone could play together. That showed real thoughtfulness.” 

This positive feedback helps them internalise inclusion as an act to be proud of. 

By teaching adaptability, empathy, and positive reinforcement, you show your child that the best games are those where absolutely no one is left out. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam universally honours every person’s dignity and explicitly encourages believers to support one another with great mercy, regardless of physical ability or any perceived difference. 

The Correction Regarding Inclusion 

The Quran recounts a powerful lesson on the necessity of inclusion, correcting the Prophet ﷺ for unconsciously overlooking a blind man seeking guidance. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Abasa (80), Verses 1–2: 

‘(The holy Prophet Muhammadﷺ) frowned and redirected (his attention to another conversation), when there came to him a blind man (interrupting his conversation).’ 

This verse recalls how Allah Almighty corrected even the Prophet ﷺ for overlooking someone with a disability, profoundly teaching all believers to deeply value inclusion. 

Being Beneficial to Others 

The Hadith places a high value on actions that benefit other people, directly linking such helpfulness to being beloved by Allah Almighty. 

It is recorded in Sunan Nisai, Hadith 5379, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The most beloved of people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to the people.’ 

This Hadith reminds children that true goodness lies in being helpful and inclusive. Adapting games so everyone can join is a direct and practical way of being beneficial to others. 

When children learn to include peers with different abilities in their games, they are living out these prophetic values of mercy, equality, and respect. These habits nurture genuine empathy, creativity, and fairness qualities that will serve them well throughout their life and in the sight of Allah Almighty.