A Book that Teaches Children to Manage Anxiety the Islamic Way
Wondering how to manage anxiety in children? Or do you have a child struggling with anxiety and overwhelmed by life’s worries? I have a book recommendation that teaches kids to manage anxiety in an Islamic way.
I recently received a book that teaches children how, through remembrance of Allah, they can overcome their anxiety and feel reassured and calm.
Talaal and the Whispering Worrier, an Islamic-based children’s book, is written in a way that is a good read for both kids and adults, and it is filled with wisdom and practical advice derived from teachings in the Quran and Hadith.
Yes, a book that can teach your children how to use positive self-talk and reciting the Holy Quran to beat stress and overwhelm. Let’s talk more about it…
What Causes Anxiety in Children
Our children are under stress and sometimes we don’t notice. Things that may seem just so natural for us, may actually be stressful and anxiety causing in our kids.
Have you ever looked at your little one and wondered if something is bothering them? Or maybe what they are worrying about? Oh, for sure our children worry! They worry about everything that their parents worry about and then some.
Growing up is hard. When you are a little one in a big BIG world, there are so many things that happen for the first time. As a young mom, when I had my first child, I would record his “milestones”, but as he grew older, I stopped. I stopped not only recording, but unintentionally, even forgot to notice things that he may have been experiencing for the first time.
Like… the first time he spoke out in front of his class; or his first ride on the bus; or the time my little girl took part in a competition; or the first time she got her hair cut; and the first time they took a shower by themselves and were afraid of the sound of the water falling and mommy not around!
Our children have a BIG imagination. These simple things cause them anxiety. ‘What is that shadow on the door at night? ‘ ‘What if something crawls into my bed and I don’t know?’ ‘What if the Big Wheel at the park rolls off and comes at me?!
I am not kidding you, my children have told me some terrific horror imagination-stories, that I had to try so hard to not laugh at!
All this to say: our children worry and they worry big. Sometimes, worrying becomes so much that it starts to affect their self-esteem too! That’s why it is crucial that children learn to manage their anxiety well.
Teach children to cope with anxiety the Islamic way
We are a family who love reading the Quraan together. I believe in gently encouraging children to naturally form an attachment to the Holy Book.
In the Quran, God says:
“Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah: for without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.
Ayah 28, Surah Ar Ra’d, The Holy Quran
In the Remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.
Without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction. We adults who have been reading the Quran for long time know this, but how to teach this to little children?
It is easy to say to a child that they should remember God in difficult times, but how do you help them create this habit?
I found Shereeza Boodhoo’s book – Talaal and the Whispering Worrier – to be quite beneficial in this regard.
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Talaal and the Whispering Worrier- Book Review
Talaal and the Whispering Worrier, written by Shereeza Boodhoo and illustrated by Khalif Koloseo, is a book about a little boy named Talaal.
In the story, Talaal’s teacher asks him to share his views in class and he feels really weird. He doesn’t even understand why he feels that way. Is he anxious, nervous, scared or shy?
Luckily for him, he has an elder sister who helps him learn what is going on. She teaches him how to remain calm by whispering “helpful thoughts” and reciting the Quran.
For years, I have struggled with teaching my children how to react when they are nervous. I am sure you can relate! It is hard. But SubhanAllah, this book made it so easy for me to teach my little one.
Children experience anxiety but have a hard time talking about it
Last month, I was very sick. My children were very worried to see their mother on bed rest, unable to cook or play with them.
Even Dad had to take time off from the office to continue working from home. We all know how it is when mom falls sick… I did my best to be as cheerful as possible, but our children know when things are wrong.
I made sure their routines were not hindered and that life was as normal as it could be. But they could sense the emergency in the home. Grandparents in and out, aunts and uncles chipping in to help… I started to notice the change in my children’s behaviour.
The eldest looked like he was coping. He is a teen, so I can somehow trust him to come to me for help; but I could clearly see he was anxious because he spent way too much time online. It was his way of avoiding worrying.
But my 8 year old wouldn’t leave my side. She just sat and doodled in her journal all day. Even while eating. There were also a few ‘get well’ notes for me.
The youngest, 7 years old, was too quiet. She was the one I was worried about. This little one still doesn’t know what to do when something is bothering her and she has no words to express it.
One night, after I came home from the hospital, I went in to check on everyone. I noticed the 7 year old asleep with a book by her side. It was Talaal and the Whispering Worrier.
I had heard her humming the Quran to herself many times through the week, but as it is normal in a household with children doing Hifz, it hadn’t occurred to me that she may have been remembering God to cope.
How this book helped us with managing anxiety in children
We received this book a few months ago and since then, my children had fallen in love with it. It had been read over and over and carried from room to room.
It taught my little girl that everyone worries, but there is a way to come out of that worrying, and that is by remembering Allah.
Talaal and the Whispering Worrier is a book about helping your anxious and shy child cope with their anxiety. It shows children what they can do when they are worried, stressed and unable to cope. The book also has notes at the end that help parents with tips on how to recognize anxiety and help children manage their fears.
Shereeza Boodhoo has a degree in Psychology and Masters in Social Work. She has years of experience in therapy and counselling. Her specialty is helping children manage anxiety and self-esteem issues.
This book is research-based and teaches three therapeutic techniques that clinical psychologists use to help their clients manage stress. She shares her tips at the back of the book, with conversation starters for parents to help their children.
Talaal and the Whispering Worrier is an award-winning book that I highly recommend for your home. Sometimes, it is hard for us parents to be constantly around our children teaching them. Many times, our children don’t know how to initiate conversations about what may be worrying them. On such occasions, I have seen that books can be very useful tools that help both them and us.
Where to buy Talaal and the Whispering Worrier
This book is available on the author’s website TalaalandtheWhisperingWorrier.Com and that’s where I recommend you get it.
P.S: While purchasing the book, mention me in the notes section to receive a fun sticker!
This book is also available on Amazon. Click here to buy on Amazon
Now, over to you: Tell me how you help your children cope with anxiety. What do you do when they are stressed?
