Amina: “Even if you as a parent do not take part in Ramadan, your child still deals with it”.

Amina: “Even if you as a parent do not take part in Ramadan, your child still deals with it”.

When children take part in Ramadan (for the first time), it can be special but also exciting for them. Do they fast for a few hours or fully? Do they fast in a different way than not eating? And how do they deal with questions from children or teachers who know little about the islamic fasting month?

Amina Berkane Abakhou is a member of Alliantie Gezonde Wijk Overvecht, a lifestyle coach and mother of six children. We asked how parents and school can work together to support children for a healthy Ramadan at school.

Attention to breaks and rest

Amina sees lunch and rest in general as important. Amina: “As a parent you can of course encourage your child to fast if they are ready. But you also have to be aware of the young age and the energy needed to learn. A child of 7 or 9 years can fast half a day, for example from lunch. Then they still feel they belong.”

Some schools already take this into account by offering a separate room where fasting children can rest or read a book during lunch break. This way they do not feel excluded and can catch their breath.

Discussion about adjusting lesson times

Amina thinks adjusting lesson times should be discussed with the attendance officer. “The attendance officer often comes in only when there are problems, like absence. But you want to organize it so that we prevent problems. I think parents sometimes let their children come later or call them “sick”. And this can be different. Why do we not talk about it and look for a good solution together? Every company talks about inclusion, for example with breastfeeding rooms, and this is also something we should think about.”
Parents can play a proactive role by asking for a meeting with the school director. By making agreements early together, problems and misunderstandings can be prevented.

Limit physical effort

“For physical activities like gym, school swimming and hobbies it is good to look per activity if it works,” says Amina. “If it can, then it can. For gym it may be just 3 or 4 lessons. Ramadan is not all year round. Swimming is for young children, so they will not fast a whole day. But here too it is about making agreements together.”

Some schools choose to make gym classes less intense during Ramadan or offer alternative activities, such as gentle movement games or yoga. This makes sure fasting children can still join without it becoming too hard.

Encourage social acceptance and understanding

Amina: “The only solution is to talk. The best thing we can work on together is to come together in our differences. We have to talk, even if the school has little experience with it. If the management says what the school can or cannot do, parents can take this into account. And this way you come to a conclusion together that you can continue with.”

Some schools organize an information moment during Ramadan in which children talk together about fasting and what it means. This can help more mutual understanding and acceptance.

“Even if you as a parent do not take part in Ramadan, your child still deals with it. I am also involved in the Christmas celebration and I am not christian. For example, I always cook nicely on Christmas Eve at school.”

Look at concentration around tests and exams

Amina thinks we should look at this from different sides: “Let us discuss it with educators, experts and parents. What do studies say about what fasting means for test results? Those numbers exist. Let us not assume things for others. When I fast myself, I for example feel much sharper. My pace is slower, but my concentration is higher.”

According to some studies, fasting has a positive effect on concentration for adults, but it can differ per child. It is important to look at this per person and discuss with experts and teachers.

Strengthen each other, school and parents

“What I would like is if schools talk with parents a month in advance and prepare Ramadan together,” says Amina. “The lower grades and higher grades have different needs. You can for example choose to take rest breaks or start lessons later. That hour can be made up later with other activities.”

Some schools organize a Ramadan parent evening in which parents and teachers make agreements about how the school treats fasting children. This creates clarity and prevents misunderstandings.

Tips for parents and schools

• Is your child still practicing fasting? Then always give them food for at school. If it does not go, they always have the option to eat something.
• Is your child in a public or non-islamic school? Then ask if your child or you may tell something about Ramadan in class. Maybe it is also possible to bring a treat that is often eaten during Ramadan. This way you create understanding and a conversation.
• Let children say what they can do if they fast (fully), but make sure they do not get excluded because they fast.
• Do not make unnecessary exceptions for children who fast. Talk about this together as parent and school and keep doing that.
• Keep talking as parents and school and learn from each other. Together we can make an inclusive and understanding place for all children.