By Allyson Burke
While poetry may appear to be insignificant in the life of the average adult, it is a form of writing that has many advantages when children are the primary audience. Reading childrens poems may be an excellent way to cultivate certain life skills, such as recognizing rhymes, learning rhythm, and being able to differentiate pitch. It is also a great way to get children into reading, writing, and perhaps even singing.
The first known children's poems were probably better known as nursery rhymes. Early nursery rhymes were originally intended to help children fall sleep, and hence, were called lullabies. They came about in the early to mid 1700's and have always been a good way to keep children occupied.
Historical references and distinctive melodies came to be a part of nursery rhymes. "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" was written in reference to the tax on wool and the slave trade in 18th century Britain. "London Bridge is Falling Down" was written in reference to the conquest of the Vikings. "Ring Around the Rosie" was a dark euphemism for the symptoms of the Bubonic Plague. Their brevity, rhyming lines, and simple melodies made nursery rhymes easy to sing and memorize.
The first known children's poems were probably better known as nursery rhymes. Early nursery rhymes were originally intended to help children fall sleep, and hence, were called lullabies. They came about in the early to mid 1700's and have always been a good way to keep children occupied.
Historical references and distinctive melodies came to be a part of nursery rhymes. "Baa, Baa, Black Sheep" was written in reference to the tax on wool and the slave trade in 18th century Britain. "London Bridge is Falling Down" was written in reference to the conquest of the Vikings. "Ring Around the Rosie" was a dark euphemism for the symptoms of the Bubonic Plague. Their brevity, rhyming lines, and simple melodies made nursery rhymes easy to sing and memorize.
Children learn rapidly though repetition and speech. They also develop language skills by speaking, listening, reading, and even singing. Kids who have a lot of exposure to reading and speaking usually have better language comprehension skills and higher rates of cognitive development by age 3. Many of these life skills can be improved by poetry.
For example, take "Ring Around the Rosie". All four of its lines rhyme, making it easy to memorize, and all of its syllables fit in the song's rhythm. This shows that poetry are simple but effective ways to teach words, singing, and basic rhythm without completely boring a child. Children exposed to nursery rhymes and poetry at a young age show greater aptitude in reading, music, and spatial reasoning.
Poems work so well at improving cognitive development because children enjoy poetry. It is important that the work is short in order to compensate for the lack of focus kids tend to have. Visual stimulation from a funny picture also tends to help. Children would probably find it boring to sit though an entire narrative. So today's poetry for children is focused primarily on entertaining children while accelerating their cognitive capabilities. Works by poets like Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein come to mind. Short poetry with humorous illustrations would be a lot more stimulating and fun to a child than would a long, arduous novel.
Poems can be seen as the first step to an educated future. If a child develops a love for poetry, he or she will most likely go onto books and novels. These will in turn lead to better vocabulary, a good writing style, and excellent conversational skills. Gaining an interest in poetry is most likely the easiest way to begin such a lifestyle.
Reading poems provide not only academic, but personal benefits too. It encourages the use of one's imagination while keeping them mentally stimulated. Failing grades and juvenile delinquency can potentially be avoided with such methods. Not only that, creativity is a great quality to have as an adult.
Reading
For example, take "Ring Around the Rosie". All four of its lines rhyme, making it easy to memorize, and all of its syllables fit in the song's rhythm. This shows that poetry are simple but effective ways to teach words, singing, and basic rhythm without completely boring a child. Children exposed to nursery rhymes and poetry at a young age show greater aptitude in reading, music, and spatial reasoning.
Poems work so well at improving cognitive development because children enjoy poetry. It is important that the work is short in order to compensate for the lack of focus kids tend to have. Visual stimulation from a funny picture also tends to help. Children would probably find it boring to sit though an entire narrative. So today's poetry for children is focused primarily on entertaining children while accelerating their cognitive capabilities. Works by poets like Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein come to mind. Short poetry with humorous illustrations would be a lot more stimulating and fun to a child than would a long, arduous novel.
Poems can be seen as the first step to an educated future. If a child develops a love for poetry, he or she will most likely go onto books and novels. These will in turn lead to better vocabulary, a good writing style, and excellent conversational skills. Gaining an interest in poetry is most likely the easiest way to begin such a lifestyle.
Reading poems provide not only academic, but personal benefits too. It encourages the use of one's imagination while keeping them mentally stimulated. Failing grades and juvenile delinquency can potentially be avoided with such methods. Not only that, creativity is a great quality to have as an adult.
Reading
Poems work so well at improving cognitive development because children enjoy poetry. It is important that the work is short in order to compensate for the lack of focus kids tend to have. Visual stimulation from a funny picture also tends to help. Children would probably find it boring to sit though an entire narrative. So today's poetry for children is focused primarily on entertaining children while accelerating their cognitive capabilities. Works by poets like Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein come to mind. Short poetry with humorous illustrations would be a lot more stimulating and fun to a child than would a long, arduous novel.
Poems can be seen as the first step to an educated future. If a child develops a love for poetry, he or she will most likely go onto books and novels. These will in turn lead to better vocabulary, a good writing style, and excellent conversational skills. Gaining an interest in poetry is most likely the easiest way to begin such a lifestyle.
Reading poems provide not only academic, but personal benefits too. It encourages the use of one's imagination while keeping them mentally stimulated. Failing grades and juvenile delinquency can potentially be avoided with such methods. Not only that, creativity is a great quality to have as an adult.
Reading childrens poems appears to be such a menial task, but it does a surprising amount of good for children. Nursery rhymes and poems are utilized even today to teach children how to read and speak. Perhaps reading poetry before bedtime every night is one of the best things a parent can to for a child.
About the Author:
Poems can be seen as the first step to an educated future. If a child develops a love for poetry, he or she will most likely go onto books and novels. These will in turn lead to better vocabulary, a good writing style, and excellent conversational skills. Gaining an interest in poetry is most likely the easiest way to begin such a lifestyle.
Reading poems provide not only academic, but personal benefits too. It encourages the use of one's imagination while keeping them mentally stimulated. Failing grades and juvenile delinquency can potentially be avoided with such methods. Not only that, creativity is a great quality to have as an adult.
Reading childrens poems appears to be such a menial task, but it does a surprising amount of good for children. Nursery rhymes and poems are utilized even today to teach children how to read and speak. Perhaps reading poetry before bedtime every night is one of the best things a parent can to for a child.
About the Author:
If you want to see a selection of childrens poems, visit our web pages at www.susannoyesandersonpoems.com today. You can see details here at http://www.susannoyesandersonpoems.com now.