Sharing the Magic of Poetry for Preschoolers

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A pretty mother with dark hair and a cropped hairstyle wearing a brown shirt is reading children's poetry to her two young children, son and daughter, in a public library.
A pretty mother with dark hair and a cropped hairstyle wearing a brown shirt is reading children's poetry to her two young children, son and daughter, in a public library.

Reading to preschoolers is one of the most important activities for cognitive, emotional, and social development. While traditional picture books and stories are staple choices for read aloud story time, adding poetry for preschoolers to the mix brings an extra layer of joy and learning to the experience. 

Poetry, with its playful language, rhythmic flow and creative imagery, captivates young minds in unique ways. By including poetry in your reading routine, you help cultivate a love for language, foster early literacy skills, support social and emotional development as well as ignite your child’s imagination.

Love of Language

One of the most powerful aspects of poetry for preschoolers is its use of rhythm and rhyme. The musicality of poems can significantly enhance a preschooler’s ability to recognize sounds and patterns in language. When children hear rhymes and rhythms, they begin to pick up on the sound structure of words, which is a critical skill for early reading. Rhyming words, like “cat” and “hat,” help children understand phonemic awareness, an essential component of learning to read. The repetitive patterns in many poems also make them easier for young children to remember, boosting their confidence in language acquisition and creating a sense of familiarity with words.

Literary Skills

Poetry also offers an excellent opportunity to expand vocabulary in a fun and accessible way. Many poems introduce new words or playful language, sparking curiosity in young listeners. For example, poems may describe things in unconventional ways, using metaphors or imagery that invite your child to explore the world around them in new ways. By reading aloud poetry for preschoolers, you can introduce these new words and concepts, creating a foundation for future language development. Additionally, the brevity of many poems makes them approachable, allowing your child to engage with complex ideas in digestible portions.

black and white vintage image of a mother, father sitting in chairs and reading to their children

Social and Emotional Development

Beyond language and literacy, poetry for preschoolers can also be a powerful tool for emotional and social development. Poems often explore feelings, relationships, and experiences in a way that young children can relate to. Whether it’s a poem about a child’s day at the park, an interaction with an animal, the bond between a parent and child or a whimsical adventure, poetry invites children to connect with their emotions and recognize those feelings in others. When shared with a parent, poems can become a jumping-off point for discussions about empathy, self-expression and understanding, helping your child navigate their own emotions and experiences in the world.

Imagination

Finally, poetry sparks imagination. The creative, often surreal quality of poems opens up endless possibilities for your preschooler’s imagination. Through colorful metaphors and playful imagery, poetry for preschoolers invites young children to envision new worlds and dream big. Poems often leave space for interpretation, encouraging them to think critically and imaginatively. This creative thinking not only enhances their cognitive development but also nurtures their ability to think abstractly and problem-solve. By making poetry a regular part of your reading routine, you help lay the groundwork for a lifelong love of language, storytelling and creative expression.

Nursery Rhymes

Golden Days at Home supports the benefits of reading poetry for preschoolers. Each of our 48 full week lesson plans in our preschool curriculum include a Music & Rhyme and Pre-Reading & Writing lesson to teach at home. You will introduce rhyming words, verses and finger plays to your child through fun, interactive activities and experiences. Also a part of the curriculum, Marguerite de Angeli’s Book of Mother Goose and Nursery Rhymes by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers contains one of the finest collections of children’s nursery rhymes. This picture book was specially chosen to inspire one of our lesson plans as it guides and enlightens a full week devoted to children’s poetry and rhyme. It is one of four picture book lesson plans in our December Lesson Plan Bundle.

Incorporating poetry for preschoolers into your cozy read aloud sessions is not just a fun activity, but a powerful educational tool that enriches your child’s early development. By embracing the rhythm, language, emotions and imagination of poetry, you can give your young child the foundation they need to become a confident, creative and passionate reader. To get started, find eight poetry book suggestions from Dana, a mother/educator. So next time you pick up a book for story time, try adding a poem to the mix—your preschooler will thank you for it!

Written by Janet Nicole Meyer for Golden Days at Home

Childhood Gem written in black in on a white background with a gold star to the left.

Meet Tabitha Paige…an award-winning artist, certified speech language pathologist, author/ illustrator of best-selling children’s books and mother of three. Tabitha’s fine art watercolors for children feature gentle, delightful and timeless images as she finds inspiration through animals, nature and beloved, familiar objects. Her illustrations are available in books, magnets, stickers and wall art. It is a treat to visit her website: https://tabithapaige.com

A collection of 5 photos of gentle water color children's art for preschoolers by Tabitha Paige. A 3 volume book collection, a red fire truck, a forest animal scene, a children's xylophone and a page of woodland creatures and flowers stickers.
Janet Nicole Meyer

Janet Nicole Meyer

The founder and author of Golden Days at Home preschool curriculum savors all opportunities to play and travel with her now grown children. She and her husband hike, bike and enjoy living on a stream in Boulder, Colorado with their elderly English Mastiff, Roxy.

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