How Do I Handle a Child Hiding a Peer’s Pencil Case as a Joke? 

Parenting Perspective 

Name the Harm Without Shaming 

Step in quickly and maintain a steady tone: ‘Hiding someone’s pencil case is not funny. It blocks their learning and breaks trust.’ Describe what you observed and the effect it had, rather than labelling your child as naughty. For example: ‘You tucked Ali’s case under the shelf. He could not start his work and felt worried.’ Naming the impact instead of attacking the child’s character preserves their dignity while making the harm unmistakably clear. 

Restore the Victim’s Dignity First 

Turn your attention to the peer and immediately repair their loss of control: ‘Your things are important. We are returning your case to you now.’ Have your child retrieve it, check that all items are present, and guide them to offer a brief, sincere apology. If anything is missing or broken, your child should be responsible for replacing it promptly. This approach centres the needs of the injured child and shows that making amends is a practical, not a theatrical, act. 

Teach the Difference Between Humour and Humiliation 

Many so-called ‘jokes’ are clumsy attempts to connect with others. It is important to draw a clean line: ‘A joke is only fun when everyone is laughing. If one person is worried or embarrassed, it is not fun, it is harmful.’ Offer your child alternative ways to be playful, such as inviting a peer to a game at break time, sharing a silly drawing on their own paper, or asking a lighthearted question that does not involve anyone’s belongings. This helps to channel their desire for attention into positive social interactions. 

Use Short, Sturdy Scripts 

Reinforce boundaries with clear and memorable phrases. 

• ‘We never hide what is not ours.’ 

• ‘Make it right, then we can move on.’ 

• ‘It must be funny to all, or it is funny to none.’ 

• ‘If you want attention, ask for it, do not take it.’ 

Link the Consequence to Repair, Not Humiliation 

Ensure that any follow-up is small, certain, and focused on teaching. For example, the consequence could be writing a short note of apology, helping the peer sharpen their pencils for a week, or organising the shared supplies tray after class. State the boundary and the consequence calmly: ‘Because you interfered with someone’s learning, you will now help support their learning this week.’ Predictable and proportionate consequences build a child’s conscience more effectively than public scolding. 

Coach a ‘Stop Before You Act’ Routine 

Give your child a simple routine they can use when the urge to play a prank arises. Teach them to: Pause. Picture the other person’s face. Ask, ‘Will this create a problem that I will have to fix?’ If the answer is yes, do not do it. Rehearse this routine at home through quick role-plays so that it becomes an available skill under pressure. 

Address the Roots of the Behaviour 

Practical jokes often increase when children are tired, under-challenged, anxious, or seeking social status. Pre-empt this by ensuring they have an earlier bedtime, a hearty breakfast, and a clear plan for gaining attention that does not rely on mischief. Offer them roles that meet their need for status in a positive way, such as being the materials helper or the time-keeper for an activity. Catch and praise every small moment of respectful humour so your child learns that warmth brings more connection than tricks. 

Spiritual Insight 

The Qur’anic View on Trust 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nisa (4), Verse 58: 

‘Indeed, Allah (Almighty) commands you to execute all trusts to their rightful owners; and when you (are asked to) judge between people, that you should judge with justice…’ 

A pencil case is a small trust, but Islam treats every trust with seriousness. Returning property promptly, guarding what is not yours, and judging fairly between children are all acts of obedience to Allah Almighty. Teach your child that handling others’ belongings is an amanah (a trust) from Allah. When they protect a peer’s things, they are fulfilling a divine command, not merely following a school rule. 

The Prophetic Stance on Frightening Others 

It is recorded in Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 5004, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘It is not lawful for a Muslim to frighten a Muslim.’ 

Hiding someone’s belongings may seem playful, but the moment of panic it creates is a form of fright. This hadith offers a clear prophetic boundary for jokes: any ‘fun’ that startles hearts or disrupts a person’s sense of safety is not permissible. Share this with your child gently: ‘Our Prophet ﷺ did not allow jokes that worry others. True Sunnah humour never hurts, never takes, and never shames.’ 

Encourage your child to make a quiet sadaqah (charity) of kindness after repairing the harm, such as lending a spare pen for a week or helping to set up classmates’ books before a lesson. In this steady balance of justice and mercy, pranks can give way to protection, and belongings become reminders of trust, not targets for laughs.