Course Outline: Steps to Light

This curriculum is designed to be interactive and paced perfectly for an 8-year-old’s attention span.

Module 1: The Alphabet & Articulation (Makharij)

• Letter Mastery: Identifying the 29 letters and their dot placements.

• Correct Pronunciation: Learning exactly which part of the mouth uses to make each sound (e.g., the difference between “Seen” and “Thaa”).

• Heavy vs. Light: Distinguishing between letters that fill the mouth (like Saad) and those that are light.

Module 2: The Sounds of Arabic (Harakat)

• The Vowels: Introduction to the three short movements: Fatha (top), Kasra (bottom), and Damma (round).

• The Stretch: Learning the Long Vowels (Madd) and how to elongate sounds properly (e.g., Ba vs. Baa).

• Double Trouble: Understanding Tanween (double vowels) and the “N” sound they create.

Module 3: Building Words (Joining Letters)

• Connecting Shapes: How letters change their look when they are at the beginning, middle, or end of a word.

• The Stop (Sukoon): Learning how to pause on a letter to link sounds together (e.g., Meem with Sukoon).

• Spelling Practice: Using the “Hajje” method to break down and read new words independently.

Module 4: First Recitations

• Fluency Practice: Reading 3-letter and 4-letter words without spelling them out.

• Short Surahs: Memorizing and reading the final 3 Surahs (Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas).

• Basic Adab: Learning the respect and manners required when holding and reading the Quran.