5 Ways Poetry Gives Kids the Skills to Change the World

Spelling and Grammar are good, but if you want your kids to be able to Inspire, Persuade, and Lead. Teach them Poetry.

People think of poetry as being this antiquated and useless thing. They don’t realize that they are constantly being influenced by this art form. Ads, social media, and advocacy groups are all dominated by people who understand the power of words - and more specifically carefully crafted word combinations that evoke emotion, command attention, and ultimately influence your behavior.

The best way to learn this skill? Poetry. I know you don’t believe me yet so…. here are

5 Ways Poetry Gives Kids the Skills to Change the World

1. Rhythm and Repetition: Advertisements use rhythmic patterns and repetition to emphasize key points or ideas, by creating a memorable cadence that reinforces the message. Sound like poetry? That’s because it is.

   1. For example, the slogan for Doublemint Gum: "Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun." Some of you just sang that in your head. Why does it work? Because it has a rhythm that is memorable. The use of double repetition also links back to the brand name makes this especially effective.

   2. The ability to create memorable content and command attention is a skill, and like any skill, it can be taught. Readying poetry exposes kids to the best of rhythm and rhyme. Level them up by encouraging them to write their own poetry. If you need help with that start here: 12 Easy First Poems For Kids.

2. Meter: Metrical structure in poetry organizes stressed and unstressed syllables, defining the rhythmic pattern through specified durations and patterns. Put simply, it’s when you read something and it feels like it has a beat.

   1. For example, KFC: "Finger-Lickin' Good" - This slogan uses trochaic meter, with a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed one, creating a catchy rhythm. Dunkin' Donuts: "America Runs on Dunkin'" - This slogan employs iambic meter, with an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one, creating a smooth and memorable rhythm.

   2. The use of Metrical structure is one of the best ways to be catchy and memorable. It can get into people’s hearts and minds.

3. Emotional Appeal: Poetic language is rich in emotional imagery and metaphor. Through vivid descriptions, poets can elicit a wide range of emotions in the audience, from joy and inspiration to sadness and anger. These emotions can serve as powerful motivators for change in behavior.

   1. Great examples of slogans that evoke emotion are Coca-Cola: "Open Happiness", St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: "Finding Cures. Saving Children.", Hallmark: "When you care enough to send the very best", and Pampers: "For the Love of Babies".

   2. If you can make people feel something, you can have incredible power over their behavior. Who doesn’t want to be happy and save children?

4. Subtext and Multiple Meanings: Poetry uses subtext and ambiguity to allow for multiple interpretations of a single line or phrase. Listeners can then interpret slogans to their unique situation thereby making the message more personal and influential.

   1. Examples include: Burger King: "Have It Your Way" - Beyond customization, it implies the empowerment of individual choice. De Beers: "A Diamond Is Forever" - While it appears to be about the eternal nature of diamonds, it also implies lasting love and commitment.

   2. Thus, poetry's use of subtext and multiple meanings purposely leaves room for interpretation and personal connection which allows it to have a profound impact on shaping attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

5. Narrative and Storytelling: What is the primary mode of entertainment in the world? STORY. Movies, books, and even sports reporting often uses story to engage viewers e.g., will they come back from this loss. There are few things that can influence people more than a powerful story.

   1. Perhaps the best examples of narrative and storytelling in poetry & poetry like writing is in religious texts. From the Bible to the Vedas, all make use of story and poetry to engage, instruct, and influence.

   2. If you can tell a good story, you’re already ahead. But if you can tell a story using language that has rhythm, rhyme, and evoke emotion - you’ll have the whole world in the palm of your hand.

Look carefully at these messages that have been used to shape the world. Do you see the use of rhythm, meter, emotional appeal, subtext, and story? Do you still doubt the power of carefully, crafted words?

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender." - Winston Churchill

"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." - John F. Kennedy

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." - Abraham Lincoln

"Give me liberty or give me death!" - Patrick Henry

"Yes, we can." - Barack Obama

Words are powerful. Reading and teaching your children poetry will give them a gigantic leg up to helping make this world better.

~Claire Honeycutt

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