How do I respond if my child touches displays or projects on walls? 

Parenting Perspective 

Understand the urge to touch 

When a child touches classroom displays, wall projects, or mosque decorations, it is rarely an act of misbehaviour. Curiosity and sensory exploration are natural parts of a child’s learning process. Their hands often lead their minds, as touching is how they understand texture, beauty, and connection. Before reacting sharply, it is important to recognise that the impulse usually comes from wonder, not defiance. This understanding helps to keep any correction calm and preserves your child’s dignity. 

Teach respect without shaming 

The goal is not to suppress curiosity but to guide it towards respect. Instead of scolding with phrases like, ‘Do not touch that!’, use gentle instruction that educates: ‘These are someone else’s projects. We look with our eyes, not our hands. You can then show them what this looks like by folding your hands or placing them behind your back while admiring the work. This demonstration helps them to remember through action, not fear. Afterwards, thank the child for listening: ‘You waited beautifully; that showed real manners. Positive reinforcement builds pride in self-control. 

Create a predictable routine for hands 

Turn this concept into a routine your child can repeat anywhere. 

• Before entering a display area, whisper: ‘Let us put our hands behind our back until we know what we can touch’. 

• Practise at home by playing a short “look, do not touch” game with family photos or ornaments. 

• Give specific praise whenever they remember independently: ‘You looked without touching, that showed excellent respect’. 

Consistency transforms good manners into a habit. If your child struggles with impulsivity, provide a substitute, such as a stress stone or prayer beads, so their hands have something to do while they follow the rule. 

Model respect at home 

Children learn respect by seeing it in practice. Let them watch you handle copies of the Quran, framed verses, or the artwork of others with care. Occasionally say aloud, ‘We treat the things of others with respect because their effort deserves to be protected’. These verbal cues weave the value of adab (refined manners) into ordinary life. When respect becomes part of the family rhythm, it naturally extends to school, community, and worship spaces. 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam places immense emphasis on honouring the rights and belongings of others. Even small actions, such as touching something that is not ours without permission, reflect the discipline of the heart. A child who learns to be careful in small matters grows into an adult who protects trust in greater matters. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Israa (17), Verse 34: 

‘And do not come close to the wealth (committed) for the orphan, except with those (ideas and assistance) that may prove helpful (in increasing the wealth), until (the orphan) reaches the age of maturity; and fulfil all your promises, as indeed, you will be questioned about all the promises that you have made (in this life).’ 

Although this verse was revealed in the context of guardianship, it conveys a universal ethic: safeguard what is not yours and respect every trust. Teaching a child to wait, ask for permission, and refrain from unnecessary touching fulfils this moral duty in a small but significant way. 

The holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ established clear guidance about consent and ownership, shaping how Muslims should handle the belongings of others, whether it is their wealth, art, or effort. 

It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 3530, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘It is not lawful for a man to take his brother’s property except with his goodwill’. 

This Hadith underscores that respect for the possessions of others is sacred. This extends beyond physical items to the spirit of someone’s labour or creativity. When parents share this with their children, they shift the lesson from simple rule-keeping to an act of worship, where protecting the efforts of others becomes something loved by Allah Almighty. 

Connect your child’s restraint with a spiritual reward: ‘Every time you protect something that is not yours, Allah Almighty loves your honesty’. This transforms obedience into an act of faith. Over time, children begin to feel proud not merely for behaving well, but for pleasing their Creator. Even simple actions, like folding their hands before a classroom board or waiting patiently near a wall display, become small forms of worship. 

In homes shaped by such mindfulness, respect is no longer demanded; it is lived. Children grow with the quiet confidence that courtesy is a strength and that boundaries are a form of honour. The next time your child reaches out in curiosity, you will not just be guiding their hand; you will be shaping their heart to move with care, humility, and the beautiful manners that reflect Islam itself.