ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books The Prophet’s Attitude towards Children and Youth Part 1: The Prophet’s Attitude towards Children Kindness towards children was one of the Prophet’s special characteristics.

Chapter One: Upbringing The Noble Prophet (s) said: “Respect your children and treat them with good manners.” The Importance of Upbringing From the time a child is born until he separates from the family to establish a shared life with others, he passes through two phases in his upbringing. Childhood, from birth until the age of seven, is the time when the child is not well prepared for direct instruction as he does not know his world.

From the age of seven to the age of fourteen is the time when the intellect grows gradually, in preparation for intellectual activities. In this stage the child can learn and be instructed. In the first period, instruction has to be indirect without commands and psychological pressure. Rather, the child becomes familiar with good manners and is instructed by the people surrounding him.

In fact, the moral foundation of his character is laid and good memories and proper treatment become etched in his mind. In the second phase, the child should not be left free to behave and do as he pleases and his faults should not be ignored.

Rather, his ill manner should be discouraged and he should be taught order and discipline, while emphasizing the proper use of time and he should be encouraged to perform religious worship and do good things.[^1] Unfortunately, most people do not know when to begin to train their children. Some parents believe that instruction should begin after the age of six and some say that instruction should begin at the age of three.

Nevertheless, such beliefs are incorrect because when a child has completed the third year of his life, 75% of good and bad characteristics have already become formed in him. A number of psychologists believe that the training of a child begins from the moment of birth. However, some others are cautious and say that the training of a child begins on the first day of the second month after his birth.

In depth practical research at the University of Chicago has reached the conclusion that: “Any healthy child gains 50% of his intelligence by the age of four, 30% by the age of 8 and 20% by the age of 17.