Teaching Ayat-ul-Kursi to Kids

Asalaamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatahu.

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Recently I have been teaching my kids the Ayat-ul-Kursi before their bedtime. Their ages are 3 and a half, 4 and a half, and 6, alhumdulillah. Since they are so young & still haven't grasped the importance of Qur'an & Islam in one's life, I usually make it a big deal when I'm teaching them about Islam. This means there's more engaging talk, more interaction, more fun, and I'm trying my best to control my patience. This way they have a fond memory of those times, and consequently of what I'm teaching.

I started by telling them there's a very special Ayah in the Qur'an [1], and and then I asked them if they knew about it. (They didn't). Then I told them that if someone reads this Ayah before they sleep, Allah will send an angel for that person, and the angel will protect him until morning, and Shaitan will not come close to them [2], (so they won't have nightmares, inshaAllah). After we talked a little more about it, they were really eager to learn the Ayah. I told them it's called the Ayat-ul-Kursi. And it means Ayah of the Chair/Throne. I further asked them if they knew whose chair it was. They guessed it right, but they were not sure. And then they wanted to know how big it is, where is it, doesn't it fall down, etc.

Finally, I got to reciting it for them. I started with the Isti'aadhah [3], and then the Basmalah [4]. And they would repeat after me. And then I broke up the Ayah into small words so that they could easily repeat those also. What I really found beneficial for them was that I would sometimes point to things which would help them understand the meanings. When I started with اللّهُ, I pointed up to Allah, and then  لاَ إِلَـهَ, I shook my finger as if I'm saying no. It really helps if you have the Ayat-ul-Kursi and its translation in front of you. Sometimes one forgets, especially if you have the whole Ayah memorized really good, and then you have to break down the words. (Here is a really good word for word translation of Ayat-ul-Kursi with its pronunciation - the pronunciation is not very accurate in some words). The first time it took the kids sometime to read the words correctly after me, but now alhumdulillah they are getting really good at it, and have memorized some words also. And alhumdulillah they love it and look forward to our sessions together. 

InshaAllah, I hope, this will make it easy for you in helping yourself or your child to learn different Surahs of the Qur'an, and the Duas.

Also, I'd like to add, that persistent repetition is an excellent tool for helping anybody to memorize anything. And make a point of both of the parents doing it with the kids whenever either one of you is alone with them. This will encourage them more, and they will pick up faster, inshaAllah.

And all praise & blessings of Allah be on the Prophet Muhammed(s), and his companions, and household.

If there's any good in the post above, it is from Allah(swt), and if there's any wrong then it is from the evil of my self. And I ask Allah to correct me on all matters.

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[1] Narrated by Muhammad bin Sirin: Abu Huraira said, "Allah's Apostle put me in charge of the Zakat of Ramadan (i.e. Zakat-ul-Fitr). Someone came to me and started scooping some of the foodstuff of (Zakat) with both hands. I caught him and told him that I would take him to Allah's Apostle." Then Abu Huraira told the whole narration and added "He (i.e. the thief) said, 'Whenever you go to your bed, recite the Verse of "Al-Kursi" (2.255) for then a guardian from Allah will be guarding you, and Satan will not approach you till dawn.' " On that the Prophet said, "He told you the truth, though he is a liar, and he (the thief) himself was the Satan."

Bukhari Volumn 004, Book 054, Hadith Number 495.

[2] It was narrated from Ubayy ibn Ka’b that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) asked him "which aayah in the Book of Allaah was the greatest?". He said, “Allaah and His Messenger know best.” He repeated it several times, then he said, “Aayat al-Kursi.”   
[Muslim]

[3] أعوذُ بِاللّهِ مِنَ الشَيْطانَ الْرّجيمْ

[4] بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم