World Poetry Day | Creative ways to introduce poetry to Kids

There are some for whom poetry is a language of passion, love, and beauty, but for others, poetry might seem challenging to understand. If you are a fan of poetry, you might wish your little one to appreciate poems the way you do.

World Poetry Day could be the right occasion to celebrate the beauty of poetry and introduce the same to your kids. Teaching poetry to your little one might be challenging, but with the right approach, it could be a cakewalk for both of you.

Read the tips below to make your kid fall in love with poetry.

Ways to introduce poetry to kids

Begin with simple poems.

Younger kids have a limited range of vocabulary. Hence, it is important to refrain from reading poems with complex literary devices. Start with simple ones. Choose a few rhyming books from which you can read a poem to them daily or make them read one. This will help them understand how rhyme works, a literary device in many poems.

Use visual aids

Using visual aids while teaching poetry can help little ones imagine the poem more vividly. Suppose you are teaching them a poem about a lake, you can show them pictures or illustrations closer to the poem's imagery. You can also use poetry books with pictures, making it easier for your child to visualize.

Perform the poem

Another way to make them interested in continuing daily poetry sessions with you is by asking them to perform the poem they have learned. You can help them by preparing them for the performance. Once they are confident enough, challenge them to act it out by reciting the poem in front of their family, friends, or relatives.

Try storytelling

Encourage your kid to tell a story as a poem. This is a good way to help them create poems on their own. For instance, you could ask them to write a poem about how their day at school was.

Along with learning to write or recite their poem, this can also help them to use descriptive language and images.

Organize a poetry scavenger hunt.

Organize a scavenger hunt for simple poetic devices like rhymes, metaphors, alliteration, etc. Such a game can help your kid get a clear understanding of various poetic devices. So, the next time your kid reads a poem, they might be able to identify all the poetic devices quickly. 

With the above activities, teaching poetry to your sweet little ones might not be a daunting task anymore. Teaching poetry in various creative ways may inspire a love for poetry that could stay with them for years to come.

Head over to byjuslearning.com to learn more about our Active Learning approach to Math, Language, and Reading for children between Pre-K and Grade 3.