Poems for Children
Posted: February 25, 2009I read in a teaching reference that the better way for children to begin their English lesson is by reading a poem aloud. Whether reciting by an adult of by the child himself, poetry offers children a unique way to explore and enjoy language. Talking about the subject of and the meaning of the words in a poem, repeating favourite lines of a poem, or memorizing a poem allows a child to claim language as his or her own.
The author stated the 4 Rs to introducing poetry are :
1. Read Aloud
Reading aloud helps them to hear the rythm, the correct pharsing, the pronounciation of unfamiliar words. Thus, making poetry part of their listening vocabulary.
2. Read Along
Reading in unison and imitating what they hear from parents or teachers or in group. This technique is called choral readings and it allows all levels of readers to participate without embarrasement. I believe that it can also built up self- confidence in reading in public.
3. Read Alone
After several rounds of reading aloud and reading along, the child can try to read the peoms aloud themselves. The first 2 steps mentioned need to be repeated so that children can be successful here.
4. Recite
Three best approaches to memorizing a peom:
Read the entire poem over and over until entire poem can be recited
Read and learn one line at a time, adding another line and repeating it with the lines already learned.
Use meaning to remember a poem.
I will now very soon practise it with my daughter. I love poems and love to know the author who wrote it. Since my secondary days, my English teacher has been teaching us about appreciating the poems as well as knowing and understanding why the author wrote it and it that manners. Studying the poems is like learning the psychology of the person at that time when the poem is written. I do hope my daughter will enjoy this as much as I do.
