Start with bismillah.

Run your fingers gently down the middle of your back, then along your side. Ask: "What hard things can you feel under your skin?"

Watch the StoryBots video "What is a Skeleton?". (It has music.)

Now listen to the ayah together in the app, with the translation. Ask: "Which two parts of the body does this ayah name?"

Each child keeps one wonder question, for example: "Why does Allah mention these bones?" Younger children can draw theirs.

Find it in the mushaf: Surah At-Tariq is surah 86. Find ayah 7. The key words as-sulb and at-tara'ib mean the backbone and the ribs. Scholars explain this ayah in different ways, so it's a good one to ask an ustaz or ustazah about.

Fact: How many ribs and how many bones in the backbone does a person have?

Ages 5–8: Bone count. Feel your ribs and count as many as you can on one side. Then check the real number.

Ages 9–12: Strong but bendy. Find out how the backbone can be both strong and bendy. Build a model with cotton reels on a string.

Finish with: "I found that my backbone has ___ bones."

Talk together:

• Why do you think the ribs are shaped like a cage?
• Which name of Allah does this remind you of?
• What jobs do your bones do that you never think about?
• How can we look after the bodies Allah gave us?
• What would you like to ask an ustaz or ustazah about this ayah?

Make a small plan: "This week, I will stand and sit up straight to look after my backbone."

• Practise sitting up straight while reading.
• Show someone your cotton-reel backbone.
• Do a stretch with your family each morning.
• Next time: the next ayah (86:8) says Allah is able to bring people back. Explore it together!

Action: Stand and sit up straight to look after your backbone.