| |  | Nurturing the Next Generation
Project of Sound Vision | | | |  | Meeting the Tests of Puberty with your Best Foot Forward By Zahirah Lynn Eppard Parenting is all about taking charge of and flexing with an ever-changing playing field. The inherent challenges are amplified as your child heads into adolescence. There is much to learn and make preparations for - the talk about menstruation, tips about increased attention to hygiene, patiently meeting the emotional trauma that results from raging hormones, etc. Here are 15 tips that can help you meet the tests of puberty with your best foot forward. | | | | | | Parenting Tip Puberty is a time of great change for a young person and their parents. Take practical steps to put tools in your toolbox that support your son or daughter through the transition to adulthood. | | | |  | The M Word: Teaching Girls about Puberty By Wendy Díaz Let’s talk about menstruation. For some, it is the dreaded “M” word no one wants to hear. Also known as menses, period, that time of the month, Aunt Flo, the vacation, and many other euphemisms, the menstrual cycle is a natural process that most women experience in their lifetimes. While it is still a taboo topic for girls and women all over the world, it was never stigmatized in Islamic tradition. Learn tips on how to talk to girls about puberty, references to Islamic guidance, and recommended readings in the full article. | | | | | | Inspiration “The age of puberty is a crisis in the age of man worth studying. It is the passage from the unconscious to the conscious; from the sleep of passions to their rage.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet, philosopher, abolitionist | | | |  | Embracing Change: Teaching Muslim Boys about Puberty By Umm Ahmed The onset of puberty marks a major milestone in every boy’s life and development. These changes are accompanied with their own set of physical and emotional challenges. And, parents often meet the challenges with their own fear and stress, which may add to a child’s worries during this sensitive period. In addition to attention to physical and emotional details, it is important for parents to understand that this period opens the door to a number of responsibilities for your sons Islamically. Learn more about how puberty impacts attention to worship, personal accountability, and relationships within and outside of the family. | | | | | | | | Islamic Guidance There is a beautiful duaa from the Quran which seems fitting: "My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of the Muslims."
(Surah al-Ahqaf, 46:15) | | | |  | Book Review: Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys By Melissa Barreto Melissa Barreto is the mother of four boys. She wanted to help her sons learn about the changes their bodies would go through as they entered puberty. She turned to a book called Guy Stuff: The Body Book for Boys by Dr. Cara Natterson and found the material lighthearted but filled with matter-of-fact resources. Check out her review here. | | | | | | | | Interesting Facts The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has collected some interesting data on teens throughout the world: - There are 1.3 billion adolescents (ages 10-19) in the world today, more than ever before, making up 16% of the world’s population.
- In 2020, an estimated 950,000 adolescents died, mostly from preventable or treatable causes.
- Globally, 84% of lower secondary-school-age adolescents are enrolled in any level of education. However, 63 million adolescents of lower secondary school age are out of school.
- While both out-of-school adolescent boys and girls face social and economic marginalization, out-of-school girls are at greater risk of a range of adverse outcomes, including child marriage and adolescent childbearing.
For more details, visit here. | | | | | | | |  | Adam’s World Video: Welcome to Adam’s World When Adam can’t find agreement on what to do or his favorite smoothie, he asks “why can’t we all like the same things?” He then learns to celebrate differences and is grateful for them! Also featured is the Arabic letter “noon” for nas and the English letter “p” for people and a beautiful nasheed by Dauwud Wharnsby called “Sing Children of the World.” (11:22) | | | | | | | | | | | |  | The Sound Vision Foundation has been a trusted source of Islamic knowledge for more than 30 years. Our work with the world-renowned puppets Adam and Aneesah pioneered creative programming for Muslim children, encouraging them to learn about and love their religion. We continue to bring sound content and engaging programs that stimulate minds, touch hearts, and strive to fulfill our mission of raising better Muslims, better neighbors, and better citizens. This latest effort is designed to support and empower Muslim parents to do the same. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
