Salah is the first act of worship that was made obligatory by Allah(SWT). And it is the first thing that we will be brought to account for on the day of Judgment. If a believer's Salah is sound, then all his deeds will be sound.Thus, because of its extreme importance, parents should inculcate the habit of praying and develop a love for performing salah in children from a very young age.
The Messenger(PBUH) said" 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘰𝘭𝘥.."
(Abu Dawud)
1.𝑩𝒆 𝒂 𝑷𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑬𝒙𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆
Children like to imitate what they see. Parents become their first choice. The example we set as parents is a very important step, because your child is watching you and observing your actions more than your words. So do more of what you want to teach them.
𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗵 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲.
2. 𝑰𝒏𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒉
From a young age, talk to your children about how Allah made everything and how Allah provides for them and why we should worship Him. And make Prophet Muhammad(PBUH) as a role model by narrating Seerah.
Without an understanding, Salah becomes just a ritual without any deep connection with the Creator.
𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.
Definitely do not yell at your children for missing their Salah, it creates a resentment towards it. Instead calmly remind them about its virtues and accountability. This is the only thing that will ensure consistency even when you are not watching over them.
3. 𝑫𝒐 𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓
Another great way of developing a positive attitude towards Salah is to performing it with them. Perform wudhu with them. Take them to the friday prayer. Motivate by giving your child the responsibility of giving adhaan,setting up prayer mats and to gather everyone for jamaat at home. Start preparing for your Salah with the kids as soon as you hear the adhaan.
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲.
4. Be consistent:
The best way to implement a habit into a child is to make him constantly perform it. Allah(SWT) loves the deeds which are performed consistently even if it little. Children respond well to visual cues and rewards. Make the learning easy and interactive. You can keep a prayer tracker, through which you can track your child's prayer.
5. Make lots of Dua':
Dua' is the weapon of a believer. It's a direct connection to our Lord without any barrier. Parents' Dua' is very important for a child. We must turn to Allah ask him to instill a love for Salah in the hearts of our children.