4 Crafty Ways to Get Your Kid (and You) Into Poetry
If you’re a fan of poetry, you know how even the simplest of poems can be moving, challenging, and inspiring. It’s for these reasons that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared March 21 World Poetry Day in 1999. In addition, National Poetry Month takes place every April to celebrate the craft.
For some, poetry is the language of love, beauty, and passion. But for others, poetry may seem intimidating, difficult to understand, or even a little boring. No matter where someone falls on the poetry appreciation spectrum, there’s a poem out there that can help them appreciate the joy, wisdom, and fun poetry uniquely provides. Here are some fun and engaging ways to get your kids interested in poetry—and maybe even rekindle that love for yourself.
Watch a young poet in action
One of the most captivating ways to experience poetry is by listening to someone read it. Poems have unique beats, verses, and rhythms, just like songs. When you hear one read aloud, it’s easy to get swept away in the flow and power of the poet’s words. Need an example? Listen to Amanda Gorman, a 23-year-old poet and the first National Youth Poet Laureate, who read an original work during President Joe Biden’s inauguration.
See what makes poetry special
Reading poetry and learning more about it as an art form may help deepen your understanding. Check out these helpful guides to understanding poetry and learning how to interpret your favorite verses.
- Learn the different types of poems: What’s the difference between a haiku and a sonnet? Does poetry have to rhyme?
- Discover the art of poetry: Poems get their power not only from the words the poet uses, but also from their structure and point of view. Learn about literary apostrophe, anaphora, and other linguistic devices that help take poetry to the next level.
Find your own inner poet
Kids may appreciate poetry more when they get to experiment with it on their own. Use these handy resources to craft your own poems and start exploring the power of words.
- Make a list poem: Add some spelling and vocabulary practice to your poetry adventures. Invite kids to make a list of ten words. These can be rhyming words, spelling words, or even brand-new words from the Dictionary. They can use those words to craft their own unique poem.
- Create your own words: Famous writers often invented their own words. You can read about the frabjous words invented by Lewis Carroll, for instance. Kids can do this, too! Have them write their own zany poems using words they created themselves.
- Use a writing prompt: Get inspired by a writing prompt and use it to explore poetry in whatever way feels right to you. This one is fun for kids and adults!
Hone kids’ skills with a writing camp
Got a future National Youth Poet Laureate on your hands? Build their skills by signing them up for a writing camp or course. It can get their creativity flowing and improve their abilities in any type of writing.
