Poetry and Development
We all know that poetry exposes children to rich, varied vocabulary and helps them develop an ear for the rhymes and rhythm of language. The artistic repetition and patterns in poetry help improve memory and can support the development of an increasing understanding of language structure. Poetry can play a significant role in fostering emotional growth, helping children to identify and articulate their feelings through the pictures and themes in poems. In addition to developing listening skills and cognitive development, poetry can nurture a child’s lifelong appreciation for literature.
Why Children's Poetry Matters
Poetry has a unique way of capturing ideas and experiences through rhythm and rhyme. For children it opens up a world of imagination, language play, and emotional expression. In today’s fast-paced technology driven world poetry can offer a much-needed pause for children to explore oral and written language. Pompey Poems poetry book is designed to do just that – beautifully illustrated what language that captivates a young audience the magic of words are used to invite young readers and learners to explore the world through the creative colors and sounds of poetry.
Pompey Poems
Pompey Poems, written by Mike Ward, is a vibrant and engaging poetry book for young children that brings to life sea, air, and land animals. It’s not just another animal-themed collection, but a unique anthology that ignites a child’s sense of wonder and curiosity. The poems, set in Southsea, England, feature a range of animal adventures filled with humour and rich, playful language. The relatable animal characters are familiar across many countries, allowing children to connect the imaginary world to their real-world experiences. Each poem is paired with delightful illustrations that enhance the reading experience. When a 6-year-old was asked, ‘What do you think of the book?’. He replied, ‘Why are there not more pictures?’. This conversation led his mum to break out the paper and colour and draw their own story characters, fostering language development in a fun and interactive way.
Sharing Poetry
As a parent or family member reading to a child, remember to be playful. It’s helpful to read expressively, using emotion, voice, and tone to bring to life the imagery within the words on the page. For example, when reading a poem about a storm, you could use a louder, more intense voice to mimic the thunder and a softer, more soothing voice for the rain.
While it’s not new to say that poetry beautifully illustrates the world children are growing up in, how often do we take the time to pick up a poem and share it with a loved one? Today is a great day to remind ourselves of the wonderful world we open up to children when we share poems. It’s not just a good day it is an important day to share the beauty of poetry with our children.
Happy reading,
And a Very Merry Christmas
