Three Early Childhood Poetry Activities

Hey there! If you’re on the lookout for poetry activities to do with your early learner, you’re in the right place! I’m super excited to share some awesome ideas that will keep kids engaged, curious, and learning without even realizing it. Whether you’re a parent, an early childhood education major, or just someone who loves sparking young minds, these activities will bring joy and knowledge together in the best way possible!

Let’s dive right in and explore some fantastic ways to make learning a blast!

Why Poetry for Children Matters and What it Involves

Poetry is more than making sentences, spelling, and improving fine motor skills, although all of those are bonuses! Poetry is also a creative hub for expressing emotions, thoughts, and ideas. And guess what? Your early learner might already be using poetry in their daily life and you just didn't realize it.

Playing with words, trying out new sounds, and experimenting with repetition are all aspects of poetry. Think back to when you wrote your first poem - were you told to repeat words for emphasis, approach a topic using new words, or try out rhythmic patterns of speaking? Now think about your learner, how are they doing these activities already?

You might be thinking to yourself, "My toddler can't write a poem, that's way too advanced! They can't even hold a pencil or speak properly." Well, let's challenge that a little bit.

Ideas for Incorporating Poetry Into Early Learning

There are many ways to incorporate poetry into early learning, most of which include a lot of grown-up involvement. Listening and thinking creatively are key on both the child's side and the adult's side.

Even if your child can't write or speak clearly, you can still use poetry as a tool. Here are three ways you can incorporate poetry into your early childhood classroom or home setting, designed specifically with early learners in mind.

1. Rip, Reorder, Repeat.

This engaging activity involves listening to what the learner is saying and writing it onto a piece of paper. Then, rip up the paper so each word is separated and have the child reorder the words to make a poem. You can also do this with pre-existing poems. To make it simpler just have the child point to each word they want in their poem. Make it low pressure, fun, and unique in the way the kid learns best. If the sentence doesn't make much sense, that is also okay. With poetry, sometimes it is simply expressive.

2. Sing, Sung, Song!

Record your child's sentences with an audio recorder, assuming that you have permission and this is allowed if you are in a childcare facility, and play around with toy drum sets and music items to have the kid make a song out of their words. After all, music can be a form of poetry.

3. The Sticker Poem.

Grab a bunch of stickers and have your early learner place them in a line. Then, ask the child what each sticker looks like or seems like to them and write those words down on the paper. Finally, add filler words to make a poem.

Why You Might Want Your Early Learner to use Poetry Regularly

Here’s why you might want to consider including poetry activities into your regular routine:

• Creative expression.

• Emotional expression.

• Fine motor skills development.

• Play.

• Language and literacy.

  
  

So, if you want to see kids light up with excitement while writing poetry, try these ideas today.