The Power of Poetry
Poetry can oftentimes seem a thing of the past. We read poems of old that at one time were recited as part of education, of adoration, and enjoyment. Now-a-days it seems that poems are mostly incorporated in the form of old nursery rhymes and short songs, rather than as a wonderful addition to early childhood education; But this is not so! Poetry can offer a slew of benefits that we will explore within this article.
Poetry can be incorporated into early childhood education in a number of ways! Come visit us here at Chester Child Development and Youth Center to see how we bring poetry into the lives of our students.
Let’s take a look at the many benefits that poetry can bring to your preschooler’s education!
Literacy skills
The rhythmic nature of poetry can play a huge role as children learn to read, write, spell. Scholastic affirms that the interplay of certain words and rhythm within poetry aids in the development of comprehension and phonetical awareness. When a child reads or is read a book such as “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”, by Dr. Seuss, they bounce through a story or repetitive rhyming that not only makes them giggle, but allows the opportunity to see multiple letter combinations. Through this, spelling rules and phonics are solidified that will serve children well as they progress on their own literary journey.
Wondering about the different curriculum, teaching strategies and resources we use here at Chester CDC? Schedule a tour today! We would love to share about what we do!
Emotional Development
Along with large leaps within educational development, preschool aged children are making huge bounds within emotional growth, as well. Kenn Nesbitt, former U,S, Children’s Poet Laureate suggests that poetry helps children work through emotions that might otherwise feel too ‘big and scary.’ Poetry provides an easier playing field in which clever rhymes, enchanting wordplay, and thoughtful imagery allows children to encounter these ‘big feelings’ in an easier way. (source)
Our teachers here at Chester Child Development and Youth Center are very intentional and patient with their students. Schedule a tour and chat with us about how we help children handle their big feelings.
Creativity
Poetry is a lovely artwork of words that allows for self-expression and can truly be whatever you make of it. The blank page that poetry offers to children allows them to fill it with whatever they feel—not only encouraging creativity but also fostering self-expression—allowing for a glimpse into their world and their feelings.
Encouraging creativity is incredibly important to us here at Chester CDC and we would love to share with you how we do that. Schedule a tour to see our school and meet some of our teachers, today.
Observation
Listening to or reading lovely poetry asks children to stop, slow down, and take a look around them as they hear their world described in beautiful language that they might not otherwise choose. This encourages observation skills and a deeper understanding of the world around them, or of the way others might view that world.
Memory Retention
There is so much to be learned within the first five or six years of life! Children develop from relying on their caregivers for everything—including sleep!—to being capable of having strong opinions and interests, discerning things about the world around them and even start reading! As they grow and make these incredible developmental leaps, early childhood educators, parents, and caregivers can offer children simple support: poetry. There are countless rhymes and songs that teach basic spelling, math facts and general workings of the world. Very Big Brain backs up that songs and rhymes can be to memory as glue is to paper. Putting a simple math fact to song can keep it within the brain for decades where simply attempting to remember it might fail. For example, the rhyme ‘Fido, Fido, he knows tricks, seven times eight equals fifty-six’ has lived rent-free within my brain, sticking around for 25 years and counting, where many other multiplication facts have disappeared.
We use many different forms of poems and songs to help our students learn here at Chester CDC. Come for a visit and see our teachers in action!
Poetry is a beautiful way to add color to a child’s early childhood education. From sweet rhymes about the weather to complex wordplays about feelings, poetry can fill a lot of roles. Simply checking a book out from the library, bringing up rhymes from memory, creating new ones or looking for inspiration online, parents, caregivers, and early childhood teachers can refuse to let poetry become a thing of the past. In looking at the many benefits (and there are more!) of poetry, it is worth holding onto this beautiful medium and introducing children to it at an early age.
Call to chat with us here at Chester Child Development and Youth Center and see the beautiful plans our teachers have for your little one’s early childhood education.