Important instructions before children fast:
- Make sure the child is ready and willing to start learning how to fast.
- Do not allow him to fast when he is sick and tired, such as: influenza, etc.
- Make sure that fasting is gradual for young children.
- Make sure to specify the days of fasting, such as: fasting the first and last days of Ramadan, and the time of fasting, such as: fasting from 11 am to 6 pm.
- Fasting is only food and not drinking water, especially for young children.
- Use positive reinforcement for the child and encourage him to continue by offering him words of praise.
Tips for safe fasting for children:
- Follow a balanced diet during the month of Ramadan, so that the child eats all the essential nutrients necessary for growth.
- Make sure the child gets the calories he needs, to avoid energy deficiency in the child.
- Make sure the child drinks fluids after fasting hours, to prevent dehydration, constipation, etc.
- Replace artificial juices with natural juices rich in vitamins and minerals, such as orange.
- Monitor the fasting child and pay attention to him. If you feel that he cannot tolerate fasting, and feels tired and dehydrated, you should break the fast immediately.
- The child should not make any strenuous effort during fasting hours and pay attention to his health condition.
- Encourage the child by exercising with him after breakfast.
- Divide meals to prevent overeating.
- Enjoy the meal and avoid overeating by eating slowly.
- Avoid soft drinks, spicy and fried foods to reduce digestive problems.
- Prepare the child for bedtime by blocking the light from the room and removing distractions such as electronic devices.
Fasting and school for children:
- Ensure that the child can fast so that performance and concentration skills at school are not affected.
- Make sure to eat healthy and balanced food that contains sufficient calories and nutrients to provide the child with energy during fasting hours and during school day.
- Avoid foods that contain fats and sugars, which cause indigestion and discomfort during fasting.
- Be careful not to be exposed to high temperatures and the sun during the school day, such as: doing sports activities in the school playground; to avoid losing body fluids and exposure to dehydration.
- Organize and divide time, to do schoolwork, after breakfast until the suhoor meal.
- Create a routine with specific sleeping hours and follow it every day, to organize the child's time, and help him avoid lethargy and feeling sleepy during the school day.
- Be sure to take a short nap during the day in Ramadan, to recharge the body's energy and prepare for studying after breakfast.
- Avoid drinks containing caffeine, such as: coffee and tea, because caffeine is a diuretic, which may lead to dehydration.
- Avoid staying up late watching TV, or electronic devices.