Poems possess a power that ignites magic and wonder within children. With their patterns, language and vivid imagery, they create an enchanting experience that captures both the heart and mind. Poems transport children to worlds where they meet characters while evoking emotions in ways that ordinary prose often can't.
Through poetry, children learn to appreciate the beauty and power of words. They develop their listening skills as they recite and commit verses to memory. The melodic flow of poems also enhances their understanding of language patterns and lays a foundation for literacy.
Poems crafted specifically for children often carry life lessons and moral values within them. They teach empathy, kindness, and resilience, instilling these values in the hearts of children.
If you want to develop your child’s appreciation of poetry, there are a lot of great places to start. Once you have a good idea of the kinds of poems that would best interest your child and help develop their understanding of poetry, both written and spoken, then you can find a selection of easy-to-read poems that will entertain them for hours.
Note that branching out to other areas associated with poetry, just like nursery rhymes, can also be a great starting point when thinking about the kind of works that your child will enjoy on their literary journey.
Children's poems provide more than mere entertainment; they also play a role in shaping character and fostering emotional growth. Below is a selection of poems based on what your child may like to read, including short poems, funny poems, and famous poems that your child may have already read in school.
How to go about selecting suitable poems for your child
When it comes to choosing poems for your kids, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Consider their age, what they're interested in, and where they are developmentally. Here are some tips to help you pick the poems for kids;
1. Age is important: Younger children tend to enjoy rhyming poems that use language and have colourful illustrations. As they get older, they can delve into longer poems that explore deeper themes.
2. Cater to their interests: Find poems that align with your child's hobbies and passions. If they love animals look for nature-themed or animal poems. If they have a sense of humour, go for light pieces.
3. Nurture creativity: Seek out poems that ignite your child's imagination and inspire them to be creative. Look for imagery and descriptive language that can spark their storytelling and poetic abilities.
4. Read together: Make reading poetry a shared activity by sitting down with your child and reading the poems together. Discuss the meanings behind the words and the emotions conveyed in each piece. This shared experience will not only cultivate a love for poetry but also strengthen your bond with your child.
If you do find yourself struggling to teach your child more about poetry, you could try singing the poems as songs or if you would like some extra tips on which new poems would be good to read, then you could always turn to a tutor for some additional help.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to make poetry enjoyable and exciting for your child. By selecting poems that deeply connect with individuals and fostering their passion for language, you are laying the foundation for an admiration of poetry.
Short poems that your kids can enjoy
Short poems can also be a wonderful way to introduce your child to the world of poetry or to deepen their appreciation of it.
This is because short poems are, by their very nature, quite quick to read. This means that children don’t have to commit much time to read such poems, which is perfect for kids who don’t have very long attention spans or haven’t shown much interest in reading. Their short length also means they are easy to recite.
With that in mind, some good short poems to introduce your children to include:
- How to Paint a Donkey by Naomi Shihab Nye;
- Valentine by Donald Hall;
- Happy Thought by Robert Louis Stevenson; and
- The Violet by Jane Taylor
If your child is particularly excited by short poems and poetry books and is at the stage where they’re able to practice their writing skills, then it can be a great idea to ask your child to re-write these short poems or try to come up with their own.
If you need any help coming up with writing exercises or want your child to start writing poetry then you can also turn to an English tutor for some great tips on how to develop your children’s English language skills. There are many tutors out there who have experience in teaching English to young children and can provide personalised help.
Enjoyable poems to explore with Your kids
Aside from funny or short poems, there are also a select number of poems that are famous in their own right and have inspired children and adults alike for a number of years, if not decades.
Below are just a few famous poems that your child may enjoy.
Listen to the Mustn’ts by Shel Silverstein
While Shel Silverstein primarily focused on writing poetry for children, his works hold insights for adults as well. This particular poem is brimming with lessons about the importance of dreaming and staying determined. Remember, it's crucial not to let anyone discourage you because ultimately there are no limits to what can be achieved.
"Listen to the MUSTN'TS, child,
Listen to the DON'TS
Listen to the SHOULDN'TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONT'S
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me-
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be"-Shel Silverstein
The Rainbow by Christina Rossetti
There are sights in our world both crafted by humans and gifted by nature. Nothing can quite match the beauty that nature provides. The ethereal allure of clouds and rainbows is something that cannot be recreated through craftsmanship.
"Boats sail on the rivers,
And ships sail on the seas;
But clouds that sail across the sky
Are prettier far than these.There are bridges on the rivers,
As pretty as you please;
But the bow that bridges heaven,
And overtops the trees,
And builds a road from earth to sky,
Is prettier far than these."-Christina Rosetti
Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss
Dr Seuss is perhaps the biggest name when it comes to stories and poems for children. His knack for writing emotive poetry for young children was nothing short of exceptional. There is no doubt that your child will love reading his work or having it read to them.
His work is very accessible and there is something very soothing about the way he incorporates rhyme and repetition into his poems. Your child will love it even more!
"Do you like green eggs and ham?
I do not like them, Sam-I-am.
I do not like green eggs and ham!Would you like them here or there?
I would not like them here or there.
I would not like them anywhere.I do so like green eggs and ham!
Thank you! Thank you,
Sam-I-am!"-Dr Seuss
The Crocodile by Lewis Carroll
Although Lewis Carroll is most well-known for writing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, he was actually a master of peculiar poetry as well. While the tale of Alice falling into a rabbit hole may be too complex for younger kids, you can still introduce them to some of the greatest children's writing of all time.
“How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!
How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in,
With gently smiling jaws!”-Lewis Carroll
There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe by Mother Goose
One of the most famous anonymous authors has to be Mother Goose. Her nursery rhymes for kids are widely renowned and enjoyable. To bring some laughter to you and your children, make sure to include some of her works in your next storytime!
“There was an old woman who lived in a shoe,
She had so many children she didn’t know what to do;
She gave them some broth without any bread,
Kissed them all fondly and sent them to bed.”-Mother Goose
Resources that will add to your child's enjoyment of poetry
Looking for poems to engage your kids in an adventure? Here are some helpful resources that will introduce them to a range of captivating and age-appropriate poems;
Dive into children’s poetry anthologies: Discover collections, like 'A Child's Garden of Verses' by Robert Louis Stevenson or 'A Kick in the Head; An Everyday Guide to Forms' by Paul B. Janeczko. These anthologies offer a selection of poems from different authors.
Explore children's literature websites: Check out platforms such as Poetry Foundation's 'Childrens Poetry' section or Kenn Nesbitts Poetry4kids.com. These websites provide an abundance of poems specially curated for children along with activities and additional resources to enrich their reading experience.
Seek recommendations from libraries and bookstores: Don't hesitate to consult your library or bookstore for guidance on children's poetry. Librarians and booksellers are well-informed about age-appropriate collections that are both popular and engaging.
Remember, involving your child in the process of selecting poems is key! Encourage them to explore styles and authors allowing them to develop their preferences and tastes.
An English tutor can help identify which works of poetry are likely to engage your child and they can also set them tasks to help develop their writing skills. Naturally, English tutors do not just specialise in poetry, so they can also help your child with any aspects of the wider English curriculum as well, including things such as:
- Sentence structure and tenses;
- The definitions of terms such as pronouns, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs; and
- Wider reading, whether that’s works of fiction or non-fiction.
As parents and educators, it is our duty to nurture a love, for poetry in our children. By selecting age-appropriate poems, engaging in activities and creating a supportive atmosphere, we can ignite a lifelong passion for the captivating world of children's poetry.
If you’d like to find an English tutor for your child, then you can use sites such as Superprof to find an English tutor close to you. Equally, if you’d prefer for poetry lessons to be conducted online, then there are a number of tutors who are also happy to provide tuition remotely.
This means that you have the flexibility to decide whether one-to-one or remote learning would be the best way for your child to learn. So take a look today and see whether tutoring could work for you!
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