How to Write Effective Poetry for Kids

Frog to prince transition

Children love poetry, especially when it shows them how much they are loved. Writing poetry for children of any age can be fun, but writing effective poetry for them can be hard work, especially for a poet, who has never spent time time with children and may not understand how they think or feel.

Think back to your own childhood experience with poetry.

What did you consider to be effective poetry?

The word effective, used in this context, refers to that which brings about or results in something desired as a goal, that has been decided upon ahead of time. It is decisive in nature, as the decision about its true purpose has been made.

For example, a poet wants to use his or her poetry to help children learn about life.

Explore some of the important elements to consider, in regard to writing effective poetry for children, with this goal in mind.

Fact

Fact offers a vast amount of heart and head knowledge that can be incorporated into children's poetry.

For example, teaching children about space ships and outer space with poetry, can be a wonderful experience for them and lead them into a realm of new, head knowledge they might not encounter, otherwise. 

Try writing a poem called, "Flying Space Ships," based upon scientific facts alone. Or, write a poem that requires heart knowledge, by focusing on the love of other children. Start with a title like "My Best Friend in the Whole World".

Fantasy

Taking the facts about spaceships into the realm of fantasy in children's poetry, can help them to realize that there is a difference between fact and fantasy. Fantasy is a play world, where the world of outer space discovery is a reality, in our era. Children need to know the difference between the two realms.

For example, begin a new series of poems that begin with the line, "When I was in the space station," and see where it leads you in the world of children's fantasy poetry. Children love to create their own fantasies and you may still be a child, at heart.

Fiction

Entering the realm of fictional poetry for children, discloses another world of discovery for them. Fiction allows the telling of a story, in the form of children's poetry.

For example, develop new, fictional characters you can put into a new children's poem, like "Space Monkey" and "Anti Gravity". See where that leads.

Folklore

Folklore builds upon traditions, beliefs and values passed down from one generation to the next, over the centuries. Putting folklore into poetry brings another literary dimension into reality. Children need to learn this, in order to understand other people around them.

For example, do some research on "The Very First Santa Claus" and write a cultural poem for children based upon your research into different Christmas traditions, around the world.

Frog to prince transition

Children's poetry, in the magical realm of miraculous discovery, opens a world of delight for them. Children love the unexpected, magical events that happen in this kind of poetry. They do not necessarily want an analysis of it. Instead, they accept the transition and enjoy its elements of wonder and surprise.

For example, find something in your everyday world that children can relate to, with respect to a miraculous transition that happened in your own life. Start with a title like "Freckle Face, The Frog". Frogs can be loved, even before they change to princes. A child with red hair and freckles can learn that he or she is loved, in a magical way. Remember that children are trying to figure out how to grow up successfully.

Fun

Probably one of the most important elements in children's poetry is fun. Regardless of the age of a child, if poetry is fun to read, rather than hard work, it becomes enjoyable to them. The rhythm and rhyme leads them into its musicality. A child learns as he or she sings.

For example, try writing a new children's song starting or ending with the last line, "And I knew it all the time!"

Taking all of these aspects into consideration will lead towards writing more effective children's poetry.

Remember that while the hearts and minds of children can be receptive to your creativity, they are tender and vulnerable. The most effective element in children's poetry is love. When a child knows he or she is loved, then one can suggest that the poet has written effective poetry for children.