Nurturing Young Poets: 12 Easy First Poems for Kids
As they grow, their pens in hand
They'll shape the world, a poet's brand
For in these words, the future lies
In kids who dare to poetize
Poems as a Path to Self-Expression
Poetry is one of the easiest forms of self-expression but kids, and often adults, feel intimidated by this art. Poems get to break all the rules! You can misspell things, make up new words, and just write words in a picture and call it a poem. Here are 12 super easy ways to get your kids started writing poetry (works for adults too).
Acrostic Poem: Choose a word (e.g., your name, an animal, a feeling) and write it vertically down the page. Each line of the poem starts with a letter from that word and describes or relates to it.
Shape Poem: Form your poem into a shape that relates to its content. For example, write a poem about a fish in the shape of a fish.
Color Poem: Choose a color and describe feelings, emotions, or scenes associated with that color.
Haiku: Write a three-line poem with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5. Haikus often capture nature, emotions, or fleeting moments.
Rhyming Couplets: Write a series of lines with pairs that rhyme. This style is great for creating a rhythmic and playful poem. BONUS: For those terrible at rhyming ai is quite good at it. You can also pick up rhyming word pages online so kids can focus on creating and not rhyming.
Limerick: Create a humorous poem with five lines. The first, second, and fifth lines rhyme, while the third and fourth lines rhyme and are shorter.
Cinquain: Write a five-line poem with a specific syllable pattern: 2-4-6-8-2. Cinquains can capture different themes and emotions.
List Poem: Create a list of items, emotions, or ideas that are related in some way. This style allows for creative exploration.
Concrete Poem: Arrange the words on the page to create a visual representation of the poem's subject. The poem's shape adds to its meaning.
Repeat Poem: Choose a word, phrase, or line to repeat throughout the poem. This repetition can create a strong rhythm and emphasis.
Free Verse: Experiment with writing without a specific rhyme or rhythm pattern. This style allows for creative expression and exploration.
Nature Poem: Describe elements of nature, such as animals, plants, weather, or landscapes, to create vivid and sensory-rich imagery.
Finally, Read your kids poetry!! There are tons of wonderful poets for kids. Modern poets I love are Fred Rogers, Ivy O Eastwick, Shel Silverstein, and Dr. Seuss. If your more into classics Christiania G Rossetti, Eliza Lee Cabot Follen are great choices. Books of classic poems are also fabulous! Remember most songs are really just poems. So by teaching your kids songs, you are really teaching them to memorize poems.
Encourage children to express themselves. Fill their lives with beautiful words and rhymes. THIS is how you foster a beautiful mind.
~Claire Honeycutt aka Hippy Mom
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