Children enjoy experimenting with language from an early age. You can encourage a love of languages and learning by writing poems for them. The type of rhyme and topic depends on several things, including personal tastes and the needs of the child. The best way to become a good poetry writer is to read a lot of poetry, but you can also take specific steps on how to write nursery rhymes for children.
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Method 1 of 3: Writing Poems for Young Children
Step 1. Consider who your target is
Young children tend to like short, rhyming poems. Funny and witty rhymes, like nursery rhymes, are generally popular. You don't need to write poetry that rhymes, although rhyming can help build pre-reading skills for young children.
- Poems about everyday and common experiences can be a good way for young children to learn to think about these things in a different way. Everyday topics also make it easier for them to focus on word sounds and syntax without having to be distracted.
- Mary Ann Hoberman is a great nursery rhyme writer. His book “A Home is My Home” is very popular among young readers because of its use of rhymes, rhyming songs and creative descriptions of the things around us: “a hill is a home for ants, an ant/beehive is a home for bees./ The hole is a home for moles or mice/and home is a home for me!” (slash, /, signifies a new line)
Step 2. Read a variety of nursery rhymes
You can find reading suggestions online and check out poetry books at your local library. This can help you get an idea of what to write according to the needs of the desired age group. Reading poetry aloud also gives an idea of how language works in nursery rhymes, especially since nursery rhymes are usually meant to be read aloud.
- Short narrative rhymes with simple stories, suitable for children who generally have short attention spans. The book “The Cat in the Hat” and other books by Dr. Seuss is a good example of how to tell short stories with rhyme.
- Pantun or witty rhymes are five-line rhymes that generally have a specific rhyme scheme, where the first two lines and the last line rhyme, while the two middle lines have different rhymes: AABBA. For example: In Seattle, a man who likes to talk / chatter every day to his cattle / when asked what he says / an old ox replied with a shake of his head / "Ah, just bullshit." Because of their strong rhythm and use of rhymes, witty rhymes are more fun for young children to read aloud.
- Books like "Mother Goose" have a collection of nursery rhymes. For example, "Humpty Dumpty" and "Hickory, Dickory Duck" which have been famous for hundreds of years.
Step 3. Brainstorm
There are many kinds of brainstorming activities that can be done to get inspiration for poetry. But always remember who your readers are when brainstorming; For example, a scary rhyme or a rhyme about something foreign may not be suitable for very young children.
- Find a specific word that sounds funny to you. It can be any word, but generally a witty word is preferred by children. Write down all the words that rhyme with the word. For example, you can search for words that rhyme with "guava" or "hypopotamus". (If you can't find any more, there are several rhyme dictionaries on the internet that can help).
- Choose a word with a certain vowel. Then, write down all the words you can think of that sound similar, even if they don't rhyme. For example, you can write down words like, “map”, “twilight”, “five”, “picture” and “slow”. The similarity of vowels in these words is called assonance and this can help young readers learn to read.
- Choose a word with a certain consonant sound at the beginning of the word. Then write down all the words you can think of that have a similar sound. These words don't have to rhyme, but they can. For example, collect words like, “five”, “latitude”, “tongue”, “look” and “circle”. This similarity in sound is called alliteration and is also an element that can help young readers learn to read.
- Choose and try to draw familiar objects. Try to be as concrete as possible with as much detail as possible using all of your senses. What will you write? This is a great way to introduce young readers to thinking about common things in a new way.
- Select and write an adjective. Then, write down as many synonyms as you can think of. Online dictionaries and thesaurus can help you. You may even find words that are new to you. Helping to expand children's vocabulary is one of the best things about nursery rhymes.
- Think about the relationships that are important to you. This relationship can be with anyone: grandfather, sibling, child, spouse, teacher, friend, neighbor. Think about how you feel about the person and write down as many things as you can that describe your relationship. Rhymes can help young children learn connection and empathy.
- Think about your childhood experiences. It could be a simple experience, like playing outside or meeting new friends. It can be a scary experience for young children like the first day of school or going to the doctor. Try to remember how you felt when you experienced it. Write down all the feelings and thoughts you can remember. You can also talk to your children about the experiences they think about the most.
Step 4. Write a rhyme
Writing rhymes is the hardest part! The key is to write it down over and over and stay consistent. Don't worry about making it good on your first attempt. Instead, try to outline the poem first, and then you can (and should) improve it with revision.
- If your mind is stuck, you can use a formula to get started. Children's author Hannah Lowe suggests using a three-step process for poetry: 1) pick a number from 1 to 20; 2) select a (different) number between 1 and 100; 3) choose a color, tone, weather type, place and an animal. The first number indicates the number of lines your poem will have, while the second number should be included in the content of the poem. The keywords from step three will form the basis of your poetry story.
- Play a round of the “mad libs” game. A collection of mad libs games can be found in bookstores or the internet. In this game, you will be asked to write a series of words (noun, verb, adjective, etc.) without looking at the outline of the story, then you are asked to write these words in the blank space in the story that has been provided. Doing this can help your imagination, but be careful not to copy the outline of the story.
- There are a variety of online resources that can help you build an outline if you're having trouble starting your rhyme. The online version of Writers Digest and Scholastic Publishing (in English) is a good place to start, but you can always search the internet for interesting ideas.
Step 5. Revise the rhyme
Your rhyme may not be to your heart's desire on the first try. You may have to make tons of drafts before you reach your goal, but don't give up! Some professional writers take months, even years to revise their work.
- If you don't know where to revise from, read your rhymes out loud. Mark the parts that don't sound “suitable” to you. Then think about what you don't like or don't like. Think of another way to replace the element.
- Revising would be better if done piece by piece. Approaching him with the thought of having to revise an entire poem can overwhelm you. Try revising it little by little, and your poem will gradually get the shape you want it to be.
Step 6. Show your work
If you have kids, try reading the poem to them! You can also ask neighbors or friends who have children if you can share a poem with them. While you can always ask adults for writing advice, it can be helpful to see firsthand how children react to your work.
Method 2 of 3: Writing Poetry for Older Children
Step 1. Consider your target
Like children at a younger age, older children have certain interests and needs as poetry readers. Recall the age group you want to reach. Find poems and collections of stories for that age group and read as many as you can.
Lewis Carroll's poems are perfect for older children's readers. The poem “Jabberwocky” with language, new made up words, full of puns. For example, the rhyme begins with "'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves / Has gyre and gimble in the wabe." Even though it consists of artificial words, the presence of certain grammatical positions helps the reader to imagine the meaning (as well as hone reading skills in children). Try reading some of Carroll's poems for inspiration on using language in your poetry
Step 2. Brainstorm
Brainstorming as in method 1 will also help adapt your poem for older readers. The things or experiences you can write about may vary depending on the age of the child – for example, older children will not react the same way to the first day of school as younger readers – but brainstorming can help you find things to do. things to write about.
Step 3. Write your rhyme
The basic process of writing poetry for older children is the same as for younger children. However, you can further elaborate and make them more complicated because they are better able to grasp more complex and abstract ideas.
- Older children may enjoy short but clear poems such as haiku, a three-line poem from Japan. The first and last sentences have five syllables while the second sentence has seven. Often they describe a concrete object or image, such as this one about cats, “The cat slept last night./He needs to unwind because/sleep all day.” Very short formats require you to choose your words carefully, but they can make a big impact.
- A rhyme with a form may be more appealing to a slightly older reader. This kind of rhyme forms an image on the page that relates to the topic of the poem; for example, a poem about the night made of a crescent moon, or a poem about courage shaped like a lion. These kinds of rhymes often don't rhyme, but the connection between topic and form will appeal to older children more. You can find many examples on the internet.
Step 4. Trace the use of figures of speech in rhyme
Older children have a linguistic advantage in understanding figures of speech such as metaphors and similes. Try looking at an ordinary object, such as a hat or a toy, and think of other ways to describe the word, using words like “like”; For example, "the hat is like a mountain". Metaphors and imagery encourage exploration of creativity in young readers.
Naomi Shihab Nye's poem “How to Paint a Donkey” explores the feelings of children when painting a donkey using a metaphor: “I can wash my painting brush/but can't get rid of the sound./When they are staring/I smack him, /leave his blue body/leave stains on my hands/”
Step 5. Describe common things using unusual words
Choose an object and describe it without using words commonly associated with that object. For example, try to describe a cat without using words like “soft fur” or “cat whiskers.” This kind of re-imagining works better with older children.
Carl Sandburg's poem “The Fog” describes a common occurrence in unusual language: “The mist came/at the little cat's paw./sits and stares/the harbor and the city/and the foot of the silent bridge/then continues."
Step 6. Use all your senses while writing
Writers often focus on sight, but the other senses also help provide vivid detail that young readers love. Imagine taste, smell, hearing and touch.
Langston Hughes's "April Rain Song" is a good example. The rhyme begins: “Let the rain kiss you/Let it beat over your head with its silver drops/Let the rain sing lullabies”
Step 7. Write about feelings
Rhymes that deal with emotions and feelings work well with older children, who are often curious about how to express themselves. Poems can help these children explore their feelings and learn about the feelings of others.
Gwendolyn Brook's book “The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves, or What You Are You Are” is a poem about being different from others in a humorous and easy-to-understand style
Step 8. Share your rhyme
If you have children, let them read the rhyme. Ask them what they like and what they don't like. You can also show this rhyme to friends and family, but since the main target audience is children, you'll want to know how they react to your work.
Method 3 of 3: Write a Poem with Children
Step 1. Read with your child
Reading poetry together is a great way to build children's literacy skills and their love of language. As you read the poems, ask them what is interesting about what has been read, and explain what they are asking.
Talking about rhyme and rhythm works well with younger readers. Ask your child to think of another word that rhymes with the word in the rhyme, or ask them to clap along with the rhythm of the word as you read
Step 2. Sing a funny song together
Witty rhymes are especially good for this because they have a familiar melody. Write down the lyrics, then help your child find a rhyme to sing along. You can use the original song lyrics or use an example if you can't find the right words.
Step 3. Write an acrostic rhyme together
If your child can write his name, ask him to spell it on a piece of paper, leaving space between the letters. (If they can't write yet, write them down.) Then, encourage your child to think of a rhyme that begins with each letter on the line. These personalized poems will develop your child's language skills and make him feel special.
You can also compose acrostic rhymes for other words. An acrostic rhyme for the word “fish” for example can be shaped like this: “Beautiful colors/Small and swimming/How fun it is to go around in circles/Comfortable in the pool
Step 4. Try playing the game "I Spy"
The game starts with the same line each time: “I was spying with my little eyes/something that starts with…” Rhyming sounds are a natural way to get your child to think about rhyme. The game “I Spy” encourages children to pay attention to details and describe them.
Step 5. Create a “Rhyme Meets”
This exercise works better with older children. Have your child go through a magazine, newspaper or book and underline a few words they find interesting. They don't need to have a specific reason why they chose the word. Once they have found 20-50 words, help your child organize the words into rhymes. You can add new words if necessary.
Step 6. Take a walk in nature
While exploring, ask your child to jot down things that interest them, the weather or sights. If they can write, have them jot down the ideas in a notebook; if not, record it for them. When you get home, help your child decide what to put in the rhyme. A rhyme can tell a story or simply describe an atmosphere or feeling.
Encourage your child to use specific, concrete words to describe what they see. For example, instead of saying, “the air outside is nice,” you could encourage them to make more specific details using their senses, such as “the sun warms my skin,” or “the sky is blue like my clothes.”
Tips
- Young children generally have short attention spans, so try to keep the poems written for them short and simple.
- Dare to try! You can write anything you can imagine. Everyday experience is generally an interesting theme for rhymes, but you can also write rhymes about dragons or unicorns.
- Be patient with yourself. Writing is not easy and takes a lot of time and practice. You may not like the first poem you write, but keep writing. You will get better!
