In a previous article, I asked Ustadhah Angham for advice on how to teach children to read Arabic and how to help them start speaking the language. Her tips were incredibly helpful, and today, I turn to her once again—this time to gain insights on writing Arabic for kids and practice it effectively.

Ustadhah Angham is the supervisor of our children’s Arabic teaching department. Over the years, she has specialized in teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speaking children, and her insights are invaluable.

Ustadhah Angham’s Tips for Teaching Arabic Writing for Kids

Ustadhah Angham believes that teaching Arabic writing to children requires a structured and patient approach. Here’s a summary of her valuable advice:

1. The child must learn the shape of each letter on its own

When I asked Ms. Angham about the best approach to teaching children how to write in Arabic, she emphasized the importance of starting with the basics.

“First, a child must learn the shape of each letter on its own,” she said.

Teaching kids to recognize the individual shapes of Arabic letters is the foundation of writing. In Arabic, each letter can have different forms depending on its position in a word. This is unlike many other languages, where letters often retain a consistent shape. For example:

• Alif (ا) – Alif always looks the same.
• Baa (ب) – Baa looks different when it’s at the start (بـ), middle (ـبـ), or end (ـب).

2. The child should learn how to write each letter when it’s at the beginning, middle, or end of a word

After children have mastered the individual letters, Ms. Angham suggests teaching them how these letters change when connected in words. Arabic is a cursive script, meaning that most letters connect to the ones before and after them, and their shape can change significantly as a result.

Ms. Angham explained: 

“Then, they should learn how to write each letter when it’s at the beginning, middle, or end of a word.”

This stage can be challenging for children, but it’s crucial. 

3. The child must learn to distinguish between the harakat and madd while writing

Another essential aspect of teaching Arabic writing is ensuring that children understand the role of harakat (حركات) and mudud (مدود). Harakat are the small marks that indicate short vowels, while madd indicates a long vowel sound. For example:

• Damma (ضمة) – ُ (u)
• Kasra (كسرة) – ِ (i)
• Fatha (فتحة) – َ (a)
• Madd (مد) – Long vowel, e.g., “آ” (aa)

* From our Arabic Course for Kids.

Ms. Angham noted:

“The child must learn to distinguish between the harakat and madd while writing.”

This step is crucial because it ensures that children do not confuse letters that look similar but sound different. For example, the letter “و” (waw) can represent the consonant “w” or the long vowel “oo.” Without understanding the harakat and madd, a child might write “و” when they need a “ضمة” instead.

Example Exercise:

• Harakat Practice: Write a word like “كُتُب” (kutub – books) and have your child add the correct harakat. Then, give them a word like “كُوب” (kub – cup) and ask them to identify the madd and explain its purpose.

4. Gradual Progression in Writing for Kids

Writing in Arabic is a skill that requires patience and gradual progress. Ms. Angham advises starting with simple words and then gradually moving on to sentences and small paragraphs. This approach helps build a child’s confidence and ensures they don’t feel overwhelmed.

“We gradually increase the training until the child can write any word, and thus, their spelling skills are strengthened,” Ms. Angham explained.

In the beginning, children might struggle with spelling, especially with words that have similar sounds but different meanings. For example, “قلم” (qalam – pen) and “علم” (ilm – knowledge). But with consistent practice, they will become more proficient.

Exercise: Writing Simple Sentences

• Once children are comfortable with words, introduce simple sentences:
  • أنا أكتب (I am writing) – Ana aktub
  • أحب مدرستي (I love my school) – Uḥibb madrasati
  • السماء زرقاء (The sky is blue) – As-samā’ zarqā’

These exercises not only reinforce letter forms and diacritics but also help children start thinking in Arabic sentence structures.

5. Advancing to Creative Writing for Kids

Once children have a solid foundation in writing, they can begin to explore more creative exercises. 

In our Arabic course for children at Kalimah Center, we use the book series “أحب العربية” (Uhibbu al-‘Arabiyya – I Love Arabic), which guides students to more advanced levels. By the time they reach higher levels, they are encouraged to write short essays about themselves, their lives, and the topics they study.

“We train them to write about themselves, their lives, and the topics they study in an easy, simplified, and gradual way,” Ms. Angham said.

This stage of writing is particularly exciting because it allows children to express their thoughts and creativity in Arabic. They begin to see the language not just as something they have to learn, but as a tool for communication and self-expression.

Practice Writing Arabic for Kids (Worksheets)

When it comes to helping children practice writing Arabic, worksheets offer a structured and engaging way for kids to familiarize themselves with writing the Arabic alphabet, understand letter formation, and even start writing simple sentences. Below are some practical and creative worksheet ideas to support your child’s Arabic writing journey.

1. Practice Writing Arabic Letters for Kids 

As we said, one of the first steps in learning to write Arabic is mastering the individual letters of the alphabet. Arabic Alphabet Tracing Worksheets are designed to make this process as smooth and enjoyable as possible for children.

Each worksheet focuses on a single letter, providing:

• Examples of the letter in different positions (beginning, middle, and end of a word).
• Arrows indicating the direction of the strokes, guiding children on how to properly form each letter.
• Tracing exercises where kids can practice writing the letter by tracing over dotted lines, helping them get comfortable with the letter’s shape and form.
• A final example for them to try writing the letter independently.

These worksheets are available for free and can be easily downloaded and printed. They are perfect for parents who want to support their children’s Arabic writing at home or for teachers looking to provide extra practice in the classroom.

2. Bilingual Writing Worksheets: Arabic and English Letters

For children learning both Arabic and English, Bilingual Writing Worksheets are a good resource. These worksheets not only teach kids how to write Arabic letters but also help them learn English letters simultaneously, making them ideal for bilingual curriculums.

• The Arabic and English alphabets side by side, allowing children to see the similarities and differences between the two writing systems.
• Small arrows on each letter to guide children on where to start and how to form the letter correctly.
• Tracing sections where children can practice writing both the Arabic and English versions of the letters.

You can print them out for use at home or in the classroom, or even laminate them for repeated use. Laminating the sheets and providing children with whiteboard markers allows them to practice writing the letters again and again without worrying about making mistakes. This repetitive practice is key to building muscle memory and confidence in writing.

For parents, these worksheets are a great tool for reinforcing what their children are learning in school. Spending just a few minutes each day tracing a letter or two can significantly boost a child’s writing skills in both languages.

3. Arabic Calligraphy for Kids: Simple Sentence Worksheets

Once children have a solid grasp of writing individual letters, they can start to practice writing simple sentences. Our Arabic Calligraphy for Kids: Simple Sentence Worksheets are designed to bridge the gap between learning letters and writing full sentences.

These worksheets offer:

• 20 pages of sentence-building exercises, each featuring sentences that are 2-4 words long. These sentences are constructed using predictable stems, which helps children understand the basics of Arabic sentence structure.
• Engaging sentences that are easy to understand and fun to write, making the practice enjoyable for children aged 5 to 10.
• Customizable sentences to fit your teaching needs, allowing you to adjust the difficulty level or focus on specific words or phrases that your child needs to practice.

For example, a worksheet might include a sentence like “أنا أذهب إلى المدرسة” (ana adhhabu ila al-madrasah – I go to school). Children can trace the sentence first and then try writing it independently. This exercise not only helps with writing but also reinforces vocabulary and sentence structure.

Take Your Child’s Arabic Writing to the Next Level with Kalimah

Articles and worksheets are a good start, but real practice with expert teachers makes all the difference!

At Kalimah Center, we don’t just give tips, we give your child the confidence to write Arabic they can be proud of.

• Start from the beginning: We teach the Arabic alphabet carefully, so every letter is clear and beautiful.
• Fun and interactive: Our classes keep your child excited about learning, even writing practice!
• Personalized attention: Our teachers see your child’s strengths and help them improve every step of the way.

Your child will:

• Write Arabic letters with perfect shape.
• Spell words correctly and easily.
• Express their ideas in writing, even simple stories!

Try a Kalimah class for FREE and see the difference!

Conclusion

Teaching children to write in Arabic requires a structured approach, beginning with the recognition and formation of individual letters. Understanding how each letter changes in different positions within a word is essential, given the cursive nature of Arabic script. Additionally, distinguishing between harakat (short vowel marks) and madd (long vowel markers) is crucial for accurate writing.

Gradual progression is key, starting with simple words and moving to sentences and paragraphs. Creative writing exercises, such as writing about personal experiences, further develop their skills. Worksheets can support learning by offering tracing activities, bilingual letter comparisons, and sentence-building exercises. Engaging with expert teachers at institutions like Kalimah Center can enhance this process, offering personalized guidance and interactive learning experiences.