Start with bismillah.

Hold up a pen. Ask: "What would the world be like if no one could write?"

Watch the British Museum video Young explorers: a brief history of writing.

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "What does Allah swear by?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why is the pen so important that Allah swears by it?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah Al-Qalam is surah 68, and it has fifty-two ayat. Find ayah 1. The surah is named after the pen (al-qalam). It begins with the single letter Nun; only Allah knows the full meaning of such letters. Writing lets knowledge travel across time, and the Quran itself was written down so it would never be lost.

Fact: What were the first kinds of writing, and what did people write on?

Ages 5–8: Pen tools. Try writing with a stick in sand, a crayon, a pencil and a pen. Which is easiest?

Ages 9–12: Writing timeline. Make a timeline from clay tablets to keyboards.

Finish with: "I found that the first writing was on ___."

Talk together:

• Why is writing such a big blessing?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• How can we use our pens for good?
• What would you like to write that helps someone?
• What would you like to ask about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will write a kind note to someone."

• Write a kind note.
• Show your pen tools test.
• Share your writing timeline.
• Next time: the next ayah (68:2) tells the Prophet he is not mad, by his Lord's favour. Explore it together!

Action: Write a kind note to someone.