At the beginning, parents or those taking care of children should have a clear and defined policy regarding this issue in order to avoid any confusion on the part of the child. For example, the mother does not reward the child for praying, while the father acts to the contrary. Likewise, the mother punishes the child for his/her failures while the father appeases him/her.

 First Phase: Early Childhood Phase (Between Three and Five Years of Age).

 The age of three is the start of a child’s independence and self-consciousness. It is also a period of imitation. Thus, it is important to allow the child to behave instinctively and spontaneously. If he/she stands next to a person in prayer, doesn’t kneel and starts making noises and having fun, we should leave him/her be. In this phase, children can learn to recite short verses from the Quran.

 Second Phase: The Middle Childhood Phase (Between Five and Seven Years of Age)

During this phase, parents can speak to their child about the grace of God and His generosity, (supported by examples) as well as God's love for His worshippers and His mercy, using simple words and in a kindly fashion. This would create a bond between the child and God. In this phase, dialogue focuses on the Names of God and His blessings, as well as the centrality of His worship to producing happiness in human beings. In the meantime, there need to be examples for children to ponder and imitate. In order to prevent prayers from becoming a mere ritual, children should learn about the fundamentals of Islamic teachings, the stories of Isra'a and Mira'aj, and the rightly-guided Companions' love for prayer.

 We should avoid excessive preaching and any approach based on intimidation and threats. Beating the child is not permissible during this phase. The approach should be based on a positive reinforcement so that prayer becomes an integral part of the child’s life.

 It should be noted that teaching children to pray is a gradual process; the children start out with the Morning Prayer before moving gradually to the Noon Prayer until they become accustomed to performing five prayers regardless of the time. Then, children should be taught to pray on time, and when their abilities allow, to perform prayers according to the Sunnah.

Different incentives may be used to encourage children to pray. For example, they could receive a reward for praying five times a day, another reward for praying on time, and another for praying at the start of prayer period. Children should be taught that going for prayers is tantamount to going to paradise.

 Children should be taught the basics of purification, especially those rules that are associated with using a bathroom. They should also be taught the basics of ablution and cleanliness.

 Third Phase: Late Childhood Phase (Between Seven and Ten)

During this phase, we notice changes in a child’s behavior towards prayer and their tendency to avoid praying despite having developed prayer habits. They become more unreceptive, inactive and argumentative. This is a characteristic of this stage, which is a period of rebellion and disobedience. We should deal wisely with children and avoid direct questions like ‘Have you performed your noon prayers?’ Children tend to lie and pretend having prayed in order to avoid them. A normal reaction would be screaming at the child for his/her not telling the truth. Instead, it is better to remind the child of prayer through warnings and not questions.

In both cases, we should not forget to reinforce by affirming that prayer creates admiration for the child. At this age, children should learn the rules of purification, the attributes of the Prophet (PBUH), and the commemoration of the child's seventh birthday as marking a commitment to prayer.

During this phase, children should become used to praying everyday and if he/she should miss prayer, then he/she must make up for it. He/she should be taught to pray immediately after the call. Children should learn the virtues of prayer.

 Fourth Phase: Adolescence Phases

This phase is marked by indulgence and resistance and a tendency for self-assertiveness. Children in this phase refuse to follow rules due to a blind sense of dignity that may drive the teenager to persist in disobedience, regardless of the consequences. Following is a gradual program for three months.

 Part One: This lasts for three weeks or more and should involve no mention of prayer so that the child does not base the crux of the relationship as being contingent on his/her praying. This approach seeks to restore confidence in the relationship so that the child feels that we love him/her unconditionally and that our rejection of him/her is due bad behavior and not because of his/her personality.

 Part Two: This is the stage of silent action and lasts from three weeks to one month. During this stage, children are not targeted by any dialogue, rather we act in a manner that indirectly targets them, e.g. placing a prayer mat on his/her favorite chair in the living room or on his bed. The father picks up the mat and asks out loud, “Where is the prayer mat? I want to do my prayers. It is time to pray…" or, “O My God, I almost missed my prayer…”

From time to time, you could ask the child about the time or if the call to prayer has sounded. Continue doing this for three weeks until you feel that the child is comfortable with this relationship and has not been mindful of your pressure on him/her.

Part Three: Invite him/her occasionally and spontaneously to go out with you or to share some lessons with you under the pretext of seeking his/her company. If he/she says no, do not repeat your request, but keep trying.

Along with this, continue to improve relations with him/her through seeking his/her advice and views.

 Let your child speak about himself/herself and about the lessons that you give them until they start asking about religion.

 You are advised not to start a stage until you are done with the previous one. The goal here is to defuse tensions in the relationship. Never become sad, and keep praying for your child's guidance even though it may take some time!