By now you may have heard: April is National Poetry Month. It was started by the Academy of American Poets in 1996 to increase awareness of poets and great poetry. Since we love books, stories and words so much here at Just Like Me! Book Box®, we thought it might be a good idea to mention it!
I consider poetry to be a wonderful gift.
It’s amazing how the words of famous poets echo in our minds – sometimes at just the right time. From, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,” to “Still, like air I rise,” or even the words to “Lift every voice and sing…” All of this is poetry, delicately crafted for us to memorize, recite or even rally around.
People all over the world are celebrating National Poetry Month with Poem-A-Day programs, poetry lesson plans, or highlighting poetry collections in libraries. There are a lot of amazing spoken word poets with videos available, too!
Do you share poetry with your children? This may be a great opportunity to pique their interest in a new literary art form. If you want to start slow, here are some fun ways to celebrate National Poetry Month with your children.
Rhyme Time
Younger children often notice the ring of a rhyme right away. Test it out! You can also explain what the word rhyme means and share some examples. Honey I love is a beautiful award-winning children’s poetry book, but that’s just one of many!
Recite your favorite poem
Your children are often moved by the things that move you. Share your favorite poem with your child and talk about how it inspires you, or explain why it is your favorite. You can also visit www.poetry.org and find a new favorite!
Write a Haiku
Haikus are fun to read, write and discover. Try writing a few haikus with older children who enjoy a good challenge. Remember, a traditional haiku has a 5-7-5 syllable pattern.
