CARING FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT

Another point that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) focused on was to ensure the basic development of children. What is meant by basic development of children is language, physical, social, emotional and mental skills. The acquisition of the required degree of maturity in children in areas related to development will lead the child to become successful in their future life. As a result, we can conclude that within the Prophet's practices that were related to the education of children, he acted in a way to ensure the development in the above-mentioned areas.

We know that in the society in which Prophet Muhammad grew up the correct use of language by both children and grown-ups was an important issue. We also see that sensitivity was shown to ensure that children completed their social and emotional development and that they acquired self-esteem. The way in which the Prophet spoke with and greeted children and the fact that he would  provide them with the opportunity to speak in public, treating them as if they were adults when necessary and accepting their respect leads us to understand that Prophet Muhammad was aware of this issue.

In addition to being concerned for the spiritual and social development of children, there are also recommendations in the hadiths aimed at their physical development. We see in a hadith that Hasan and Hussein competed at an archery contest in the presence of Muhammad, that they once wrestled and that the Prophet encouraged children to swim and advised people to teach children how to ride a horse and take them to competitions. All of these lead us to understand that children should be involved in games that may contribute to their social, emotional and mental development as well as their physical development.