Image from Best Fiction Books
Even young children can often memorize poems - especially rhymed verse - for impromptu recitations. As with music, the brain's expectation of a desirable meter and rhyme provides comfort to children when delivered though poetry. Save the unrhymed free verse poems for later. By introducing rhymed poetry during their formative years, parents help develop language skills in their children that will last a lifetime.
Light humorous verse, rather than heavy preachy prose will keep poetry fresh and fun for the kids. However, parents should introduce age-appropriate works and alternate between reading, writing, and performing poetry to add variety to the experience. Young children respond best to short, humorous rhymed verse, while adolescents generally enjoy all forms of poetry, especially works that provide a balanced blend of concrete (grounded in reality) and abstract (figurative speech) thoughts.
Here are additional tips for helping children get the most out of poetry.
