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Poetry for Children

© Sue Reichard

Poetry is one of the first forms of literature children encounter. Pat-a-cake, this little piggy and other rhymes greet the ears of most babies. Soon after this period Mother Goose becomes the norm and rhymes for jumping rope and playing games are heard almost daily. Ring-around-the-rosy, dates back to the days of the Bubonic Plague. Rhymes are brief stories passed along orally from one generation to the next.

Literary devices are present in the simplest form of rhymes. Characters such as the Queen of Hearts, Little Bo-Peep and the Old Woman who lived in a shoe all have definite personalities. Setting in a nursery rhyme also is quickly set up. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, there was an old woman and hickory, dickory dock.

Ideas and themes also occur in Mother Goose Rhymes, simple ideas that can be understood by a young child.

One of the reasons poetry is so enduring for young children is the rhythm. Clapping hands in patterns to the rhythm gives children an introduction to patterning and sequence.

Although unaware of the literary elements such as assonance, consonance, alliteration and onomatopoeia are also introduced in rhymes and poetry for children.

Figurative language is common in Mother Goose Rhymes. Dishes come life, flowers sing and eggs take on human characteristics. Metaphors and simile are also evident in such rhymes as snaps, snails and puppy dog tails and sugar and spice and everything nice

Tone is often set with humor in many rhymes and nonsense lyrics. The limerick often has both. A limerick is quick with short sounds and pleasant to the ear.

Poetry also has emotional intensity and this type will appeal to older children and young adults. Longfellow's Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and Robert Browning's The Pied Piper of Hamlin are included in most anthologies for children.

Poetry is an experience in and of itself, potentially different for all children. Children bring to the experience their limited knowlege and with poetry can expand and heighten their sensory awareness and imagination.

I will continue the poetry theme in next week's column. Happy Writing!

Source:Critical Handbook of Children's Literature Rebecca Lukins

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