(Article is below...)

Articles > Poetry > Sharing Poetry with Children

Sharing Poetry with Children

By Gary R. Hess. Category: Poetry

Poetry is one of the strongest genres in the literature world. It is so strong, in fact, it is generally considered the hardest to conquer and the best way to improve children's learning abilities. So why not get kids involved?

When you share poetry with children, it enables them with qualities that otherwise may not have developed until much later in life. Poetry allows the child to think creatively and thoroughly while using their imagination. As they get older, they can then use it as a gateway to release everyday stress and dissatisfaction of life in a healthy manner.

Think back to your childhood. You might remember Mother Goose and other nursery rhymes, and then once you are old enough to read, Dr. Seuss. The rhythm and rhyme of these stories actually help children develop language. So it is truly a great learning tool.

As they grow, reading poetry from Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman or other famous authors can give children a personal advantage over others. Many famous poems are made of a unique voice, abnormal punctuation, and an extended us of vocabulary. This type of poetry helps encourage younger generations at forming a distinct personality and become enriched with the power of word.

It also gives children an escape of reality. Nowadays, younger generations are soured by poverty, hunger, drugs, and abuse. With verse, children can leave everyday life and become something they could only dream of or travel to a not-so-distant land and learn of the beauties of this world. It holds all the same advantages as reading books, but also offers much more in creative thinking.

If it weren't for poetry, the stresses of everyday would have claimed thousands of more lives. Although many teenagers now write of death, suicide, and other horrible atrocities, it stands as a venting medium of what otherwise would have came true. It is something we all love - no matter what we are into there is something for all of us.

Children might first shy away from poetry, especially boys claiming it's for sissies or girlie-men. However, once they learn of the adventurous verses and creative opening, they will be the first to recognize the power it holds.

Of course, if you start early with Mother Goose and Dr. Seuss and continue as they grow older, the shyness will not exist.

In short, begin their life with poetry and it will help develop their language, grow their imagination, and become independent.