A Child-Friendly Arabic Curriculum in Islamic Educational Institutions

Abstract

This study aims to design and analyze the implementation of a child-friendly Arabic language curriculum in private Islamic educational institutions, with a case study at Anaqi Privat. The primary focus of this study is on how the principles of child-centered learning are applied to strike a balance between linguistic proficiency and the development of children’s moral character. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews with teachers and the school principal, and analysis of curriculum documents. The results show that the curriculum design at Anaqi Privat emphasizes the integration of Islamic values into every learning theme, presenting contexts familiar to children such as family, school, and the social environment. The teaching strategies implemented include the communicative approach, project-based learning, language games, and the integration of adab values into daily interactions. These findings align with the theories of Communicative Language Teaching, Experiential Learning, and Multiple Intelligences, which emphasize the importance of meaningful experiences, diverse potentials, and social interaction in language learning. This study confirms that child-centered Arabic language education grounded in Islamic values can foster a civilized, creative, and communicative personality from an early age. The findings of this study make an important contribution to the development of Arabic language curricula in private Islamic institutions, particularly in establishing a holistic, humanistic, and morally grounded learning model.