Last modified on 6 May 2022
Most early childhood settings already incorporate poetry into their daily activities, for example through stories and rhymes. But there are many other ways to explore poetry with young children, and many benefits to be gained from doing so.
The benefits of poetry for early childhood
One of the key characteristics of children's poetry is its playful aspect, so it's no wonder that young children naturally respond well to it. But in addition to being fun, exploring poetry can be beneficial in several ways:
- Creates foundations for the development of spoken and written language
- Helps develop numeracy and musical skills
- Develops an interest in language
- Helps develop imagination and creativity
- Improves memory
- Helps develop emotional intelligence
- Enriches the vocabulary
- Improves concentration and listening skills
- Helps develop social skills
- Promotes a sense of collective belonging
Different aspects of poetry to explore
Several aspects of poetry should be considered when planning activities (see the following section for specific ideas). They can be addressed separately or in combination:
The rhythm: Even babies instinctively respond to rhythms, and children of all ages love to clap, drum, and dance. Encourage children to move to the rhythm of poetry by helping them recognize syllables and sequences.
The rhymes: Being able to identify rhyming sounds is a basic skill for written language, and there are many types of activities centered around rhymes. It's one of the most fun aspects of poetry for young children, so tap into their enthusiasm by getting them to identify and create their own rhyming sequences.
Alliteration: Exploring alliteration (that is, when all or most of the words in a sentence begin with the same letter or sound) is a good way to help children learn to identify and distinguish different sounds.
Descriptive words: Reading, learning and inventing poems is an excellent way to strengthen children's vocabulary and improve their ability to express their thoughts and emotions.
Ideas for activities to discover poetry
Reading books and poems
Choose books from your library that are written in rhyming verse (for example, books from the Mini Rhymes CollectionRead them together, and ask the children to pronounce the words at the end of each line. Find examples of poems written especially for young children, for example the Good for Babies collection.
Invent your own poems
Help the children create short poems, and record or memorize them together. To begin, try focusing on a particular theme (for example, describing the weather, or an object, or their emotions), or a particular technique (for example, alliteration, or onomatopoeia).
Nursery rhymes
Do activities based on familiar or new nursery rhymes. For example, you can ask the children to create artistic compositions related to the rhyme, or to act out the story using puppets.
Rhyming games
You can try many activities around rhymes, here are two ideas: the first is an association game, which consists of putting together cards with images that represent things that rhyme (for example car and paint), and the second is “passing the cushion”, in which a circle of children builds chains of rhyming words.
Beat the rhythm
Choose the children's favorite poems or nursery rhymes and give them different instruments (drums, maracas, bells…) so that they can keep the beat while you recite them together.
Counting poems
Use poems or rhymes that include numbers (e.g., “1, 2, 3 we will go to the woods”) to practice numeracy skills.
Poems with actions
Children love poems and rhymes that include actions (such as “so they do, do, do”, “boat on the water”…), and it’s a great way to channel their energy and enthusiasm.
Absurd poems
Explore some tongue twisters (e.g., “the archduchess’s socks”, “a hunter who knows how to hunt”) and other nonsense poems, and let the children have fun playing with words.
This article has been translated and adapted by us; find out more the original article in English «Activities for Teaching Poetry in the Early Years».
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