Parenting Perspective 

Modern walks are rarely quiet or free from external pulls. The constant sound of traffic, the low buzz of digital devices, and the persistent pull of screens can effortlessly drown out the natural rhythm of a simple outing. When a child looks down at a device instead of lifting their gaze toward the trees, it is seldom stubbornness; it is usually overstimulation. Their attention has been conditioned and trained to expect constant, high-speed novelty. The key goal is not to wage a war against technology itself, but to gently retrain their senses to rediscover deep, satisfying contentment in slowness and subtle details. 

Begin with the Environment, Not Correction 

Instead of constantly repeating the instruction, ‘Put the phone away,’ start by thoughtfully shaping the setting. 

• Choose quieter routes: A secluded park path, a quiet garden lane, or plan your walk for early morning timing (where the surrounding environment naturally supports stillness and calm.) 

• Once you are there, make the walk itself an experience rather than a rule to be followed. Say softly, ‘Let us listen to how the morning sounds today,’ or ‘Let us see which subtle colours appear first after the rain has stopped.’ A gentle invitation is always more effective at engaging curiosity than a firm restriction. 

Replace Passive Distraction with Active Noticing 

Screens successfully capture attention because they offer constant, rapid movement. Nature also moves (wind rustling through leaves, birds fluttering, water gently rippling) but it does so much more subtly. Help your child discover this natural movement by slowing down together. 

• Focus on Subtle Movement: Try noticing out loud: ‘That specific leaf is spinning much slower than the one beside it,’ or ‘Did you hear that bird immediately answer the other bird’s call?’ When their attention successfully finds and tracks natural patterns, the internal craving for artificial, manufactured stimulation slowly begins to quieten. 

• You may introduce a light, non-competitive game: ‘Let us find three things that are moving naturally and three things that are moving because of human intervention.’ This activity teaches critical comparison without the need for a formal lecture. Over time, the child begins to sense that calm, sustained observation can be just as satisfying as constant screen scrolling. 

Protect One Pocket of Presence 

Intentionally designate a short segment of every walk—even if it is only two minutes—as a ‘quiet pocket.’ During this brief, committed time, both you and your child should deliberately turn off all device sounds and stop talking. Walk silently and focus purely on your breathing. This practice may feel awkward or unusual at first, but the nervous system learns to find calm through simple, steady repetition. The stillness you actively practise will eventually become your child’s internal, habitual pattern of peace. 

• You may softly link this beneficial habit with gratitude: ‘This quiet moment is our time to thank Allah Almighty for giving us ears to hear and eyes to truly see the world.’ Framing silence as spiritual awareness rather than a discipline makes it significantly easier for the child to accept and embrace. 

The Small Step for Today 

Before you embark on your next walk, clearly tell your child that you will both take one photo only—the rest of the time will be dedicated solely to noticing things directly with your senses. Crucially, commit to keeping your own phone completely put away, too. The power of modelling the desired behaviour is invariably stronger than any spoken reminder. 

Spiritual Insight 

The human heart was not ultimately designed to process endless streams of noise and distraction. Tranquillity is a profound, divine mercy that naturally enters the heart when outer distractions are consciously lowered and minimised. Learning to actively guard and protect one’s attention is, in its essence, learning to protect the soul itself. When children observe their parents practising this discipline, they begin to understand that calmness is not emptiness; it is a heightened awareness of the magnificent creation of Allah Almighty. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran in Surah Al Rome (30), Verse 22: 

‘And amongst His Signs (of the infinite truth) are that He (Allah Almighty) created the layers of trans-universal existence and the Earth; and (designed) diversity of your languages and your (skin) colours; indeed, in this there are (logical and rational) Signs for those who are imbued with knowledge.’ 

This important verse directs attention to the inherent variety—in languages, colours, and sounds—all of which are thoughtfully designed to be noticed, not to be carelessly drowned out. When a child consciously lifts their gaze from a distracting screen to truly see and hear the creation around them, they begin to actively engage with the signs that naturally lead to deeper reflection. 

It is recorded in Jami at Tirmidhi, Hadith 2417, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The son of Adam will not move his feet on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about his life and how he spent it.‘ 

Even simple leisure time is considered a sacred trust. Helping a child reclaim moments of mindful, undistracted walking is an integral part of teaching them responsible stewardship of both their time and their attention. If a child learns early on to intentionally pause, to look, and to listen without the interference of distraction, they are being trained not just in psychological mindfulness but in profound spiritual gratitude. 

When the screens fall completely silent and their footsteps begin to match the steady rhythm of the breeze, the child’s heart starts to open once more. They quickly rediscover that quiet reflection brings significantly more genuine joy than external noise, and that every slow, intentional step taken outdoors can transform into a living form of dhikr—a peaceful remembrance that gently steadies both their senses and their soul.