The short answer: the day before, test the device, the internet, the headphones and the video link; set up a quiet spot with the screen at eye level; and tell your child, simply and positively, what will happen. On the day, have them fed, rested and settled five minutes early, and sit beside them for the class. The first lesson is mostly about getting to know each other and finding the right starting level, so there is no need for your child to prepare any Quran in advance.
Here is the checklist in full.
The day before: tech and space
Check the tech
Most first-class problems are technical and avoidable.
- Choose the device. A laptop or tablet is better than a phone, because the Arabic text and the teacher's screen are easier to see.
- Install and test the app. Ask which platform the class will use (we use Zoom, Google Meet or Skype) and do a test call or open the app to check the camera and microphone work.
- Charge it. Plug the device in, or fully charge it.
- Check the internet. Sit in the spot you plan to use and make sure the signal is strong there.
- Headphones. A simple headset with a microphone makes the teacher clearer and reduces echo, especially in busy homes.
- Turn off notifications. Pop-ups and game alerts are a big distraction for children.
Set up the space
- Quiet, but not hidden. A corner of the living room or kitchen table works well: quiet enough to focus, but in a shared space where you can see and hear the class.
- Screen at eye level. Prop the device up so your child is not hunched over.
- Good light on their face. Sitting facing a window, not with their back to it, helps the teacher see them.
- A tidy background. Nothing distracting behind them.
- Book and pencil ready, if the academy has sent materials. If not, the teacher will usually share the book on screen.
For more on the safety side of the setup, see are online Quran classes safe for children.
Prepare your child
Children cope best when they know what to expect. Keep it short and positive:
- Who: "You're going to meet your Quran teacher. Her name is... (or his name is...)".
- What: "You'll say salam, talk a bit, and read a little together."
- How long: "It's 30 minutes, about the same as one cartoon."
- Where you will be: "I'll be sitting right next to you."
Avoid building it up as a test. Your child does not need to know anything in advance; the teacher will start wherever they are.
If your child is shy, practise saying "As-salamu alaykum" and their name to you, so the first words to the teacher feel familiar.
On the day
- Pick a good time. Fed, rested, not straight after a long school day if you can help it, and not too close to bedtime.
- Bathroom and water first. It sounds obvious, but it saves an interruption.
- Be ready five minutes early. Device on, link open, child seated. Rushing in late makes nervous children more nervous.
- Other children and screens elsewhere. Siblings and TV in another room for the half hour if possible.
What usually happens in the first class
Every teacher is different, but a first class typically includes:
- Introductions. The teacher says salam, asks your child's name and age, and chats a little to help them relax.
- A gentle assessment. The teacher asks your child to recognise some letters, read a little, or recite a surah they know, to find the right starting point. If your child knows nothing yet, that is completely fine.
- A first small lesson. Often a few letters from the Noorani Qaida for beginners, or a page of the Quran for readers.
- A word with you. The teacher should tell you where your child is starting and what the plan looks like.
Your role during the class
- Sit beside your child, especially for young or shy children.
- Let them answer. It is tempting to help, but give them time to speak for themselves.
- Watch and listen. Is the teacher patient? Does your child get to read? Do they warm up as the class goes on?
- Ask your questions at the end. Lesson plan, homework, schedule, whatever you need to know.
After the class
Ask your child what they liked, and tell them one specific thing they did well. Spend a few minutes looking at what they learned. Then think about how it went: did your child seem comfortable with the teacher, and was the time of day right? A trial is exactly the moment to adjust either one. If you are deciding what to look for in a teacher, see how to choose an online Quran teacher for your child, and for a closer look at trials, what to expect from an online Quran academy free trial.
How our first class works
At Online Quran Lessons the first class is a live one-to-one lesson of 30 minutes with a male or female teacher of your choice, at the same fee. You can sit in, as you can for every class. Classes run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can choose a time when your child is at their best, and all learning materials are included. Read more about our online Quran classes for kids.
Book that first class
The best preparation is to simply start. Book 3 free trial classes, no card needed, and use this checklist the day before.
