If you really think about it, our kids are exposed to poetry from a very early age. We often sing to them short nursery rhymes that are poetry. However, as they become school-aged we often think those poems are no longer needed. This could not be further from the truth. Kids who read poems aloud and listen to it read have an increased reading fluency and comprehension if you encourage them to tell you what the poem is saying to them. You can also encourage them to think of a situation in their life that may somehow match up with what they read and felt in the poem. The benefits of children and poetry together go way beyond comprehension though.
Vocabulary Skills Increase
Poetry often rhymes when kids are small. This allows kids to learn about phonics and letter sounds. They can learn rhyming words and maybe even create new and silly words. They will hear words that they may have never heard before. O’er, Thou, and even doth are all likely in a poem for kids. This shows kids that in order to create a certain effect or to create an image in someone’s mind, they can be creative with their words.
Encourage Creativity
As a form of self-expression, you cannot find anything better than poetry. Poetry allows children to put their thoughts and feelings onto paper. Then they can re-read it to try and remember what they were feeling that day. It is perfect for kids who have a hard time expressing what they fear or what makes them sad, happy, and more. Their words will get more creative as they learn to let their thoughts soar freely.
Bring A Love of Reading to Kids
Some poems are fun, some are sad, and some are designed to make you question the things you believe are real. This can open the door to an exciting new world for our children. You simply have to show them the door and help them walk through it.