Hot Topics     Home and Family     Family Fun    

Family Read-alouds: Fun with Poetry



4 reasons why reading poetry is great for kids

4 reasons why reading poetry is great for kids


While your family is working and learning from home, why not make your read-aloud times really special? Maybe you’re reading a classic chapter book as a family, or a biography or nature books that open the door to environmental learning. Whatever you’re reading, don’t forget to include some rhymes and poems.

A few decades ago, children consistently knew classic folk and fairy tales, nursery rhymes and various poems when they entered school. Today that isn’t true. For a variety of reasons kids have become more focused on popular contemporary songs and stories rather than classic literature. They know all about Frozen or Lion King, but they aren’t familiar with The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe.

READ MORE: Encourage early literacy, confidence and self-expression

But there are good reasons to make some time for poetry, both classic and contemporary. Here are some of them:

1. Poetry can boost social/emotional growth

  • Poetry is full of expression and emotion. It can help a child learn how others think and feel.
  • Reciting poems can build community. It’s a bit like singing a song together, with all the rhythms and rhyming words.
  • Enjoyment of poetry can build emotional resilience. Children can say, “I feel that way, too,” or, “Now I understand why my friend was afraid.”
2. Response to poetry has a physical component.

  • Poetry is the most kinesthetic of all literature. It is filled with rhythms and musical beats. It invites a physical response.
  • Reciting poems gives a child’s mouth, tongue and breathing a good workout. It builds fluency and expressive skills.
  • Poetry is filled with patterns and sequences; it has a musical quality that creates interaction.

3. Poetry can support and improve cognitive learning skills

  • Poetry builds and extends vocabulary. It places new words in a quick context supporting access to meaning.
  • Poems build phonemic awareness such as pitch, voice inflection, and variations in volume
  • Poetry invites creativity and self-expression. Children learn that reading is not just a list of rules to follow, but a world of meaning.
  • Poetry can improve both reading and writing skills as children gain a deeper love of language.
  • Poems can aid in memorization skills. The structure of poems makes them easier to remember than longer passages.

From the cradle on, children love poetry. Look for anthologies of children’s poetry to get an overview of poets or search for your favorite children’s authors as many of them have written verse as well as stories. Read the poems to your children, but don’t forget to have them memorize some of them for the valuable skills gained and the sheer fun of it. Here are some children’s poetry favorites:

The Oxford Illustrated Book of American Children’s Poems, edited by Donald Hall

Eric Carle’s Animals, Animals

A Treasury of Poetry for Young People, over 150 poems by six American Poets

Favorite Poems Old and New, over 700 poems edited by Ellen Ferris

Read Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young by Jack Prelutsky

The Original Mother Goose by Blanch Fisher Wright

Richard Scarry’s Best Mother Goose Ever

Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne



Other articles by HVP News Reporters


  • 5 garage safety tips

    Make sure everything is secure and functioning properly

    When you throw open the windows, you’ll likely be spending more time with the garage door open, too. Make access to your outdoor equipment safer with these tips to get your garage ready for the warmer months. read more »
  • 7 vegetables to grow easily in your home garden

    All you need is a little time and effort

    Growing fresh, healthy vegetables at home may not be as hard as it sounds. Novice gardeners just need good dirt, easy plants to grow, lots of sunshine and the right amount of water. read more »
  • 7 budget-friendly gardening hacks

    Tricks to help you create a cost-effective garden

    Gardening can be a simple way to beautify your yard, relieve stress and save money on your grocery bill, but like any hobby, you can get carried away buying necessary equipment. read more »
  • 2023 I Love My Parks Day Events

    Volunteer with your family to clean up a local state park

    I Love My Park Day is an annual event that brings together thousands of volunteers to enhance and celebrate New York's amazing parkland. read more »
  • Spinach and artichoke stuffed mushroom caps

    Simple, easy and delicious

    Bringing an element of elegance to your holiday celebration is easy when you start with party-pleasing ingredients, and great tasting food often starts with dairy. read more »
  • Parmesan crusted chicken

    Super easy to make

    Not only is this Parmesan Crusted Chicken dish delicious, it is super simple to make. read more »
  • 5 resilient flooring trends for spring remodeling season

    Spruce up your home this spring

    If the idea of a spring remodel brings equal parts intrigue and dread, starting with your flooring can make the process more appealing. For example, sustainable, resilient flooring comes in a variety of options to both your budget and personal style. read more »
  • Tips on navigating moving and storage scams

    New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Releases Guide

    the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection announced the release of a comprehensive guide that provides consumers with important tips to avoid moving and storage company scams. read more »
  • Top tips to win a college scholarship

    Creative ideas to help your student out

    More than half of American families used scholarships to pay for college last year. From merit-based to artistic-focused, there are a variety of awards available. read more »
  • Understanding maternal health and hypertension

    7 tips for a heart-healthy pregnancy

    A common misconception is high blood pressure (HBP), or hypertension, rarely affects women. However, nearly half of all adults with HBP are women. read more »