Does your child hate writing? Try poetry!
As parents and teachers, we are all too familiar with the “...but… it’s boring!” Writing assignments can be daunting for learners of all ages, especially for those with learning disabilities that may be left feeling flustered or discouraged. At Jill Abrams Tutoring, Inc., we recognize that one of the most constructive ways to deconstruct writing and language arts mindsets is poetry- especially for young learners. Introducing a child to the diversity and sometimes whimsically artful style of poetry writing can allow them to intertwine their creativity into their work while improving skills such as reading, vocabulary, pronunciation, spelling, and many more.
Image: Poems for Kids by Lorrie L. Birchall
Here are a few ways Jill Abrams Tutoring Inc. describes how poetry can improve your child’s reading and writing skills while also motivating them to keep up the good work!
Increase understanding of word, vowel, and consonant sounds. Poems provide fantastic opportunities for young children to practice sound patterns by matching and identifying rhyming words. Poetry helps children work on pitch, voice, and inflection in turn helping them develop a deeper understanding of language and writing.
Improve your child’s vocabulary and grammar. In poetry, common rules include rhyming, imagery, personification, and more. To maintain rhyming patterns, synonyms can be used to replace certain words due to their ability to rhyme. Poem writing, as well as reading, can challenge students to think more creatively and reach for the thesaurus to broaden their scope.
Help with spelling. Repetition of words with similar endings will help fortify students’ spelling by solidifying the articulation of phonemes and practicing phonics.
Boost creativity. Since poetry plays with language in an artistic way, poets can be deliberate with poem construction and message delivery causing the readers to engage in a different way. There are so many ways to construct a poem: long, short, acrostic, rhyming, haiku, etc. Poetry truly is a form of art and expression unlimited in possibilities in topics, construction, and execution. It can be intertwined with illustration, emotion, humor, or even abstract ideas. Poetry can help students to break away from traditional writing styles and embrace this artistic style of literature.
Motivation to keep reading. If students are lacking in motivation to pick up a book, poetry can be a fun alternative to keep them practicing important language arts skills. Poems can be diverse! Whether they’re incorporated into a holiday themed activity, a puzzle exercise, a creative writing piece, or a group activity, they are a fantastic way to engage students in writing opportunities!
Image: 7 Fun Ideas for Writing and Publishing Student Poetry by We Are Teachers
There are many different ways to get students more involved with writing. As described above, poetry offers a creative and constructive way for learners to practice important skills in a fun and effective way. There are countless resources available that provide examples of how to write poems, different kinds of poetry, and additional ways to introduce a bit of poetry to your students' curricula. At Jill Abrams Tutoring, Inc., we emphasize the importance of trying new and different teaching techniques to connect with our kids. Be sure to encourage your students to try new styles and use their creativity! The possibilities for growth are endless!
By Sabrina Fox
