One of the most famous collection of rhymes for early childhood is Mother Goose (a nice site also for parents to (re-)learn the melodies etc. is here ) or Dr. Seuss.

Those who know me, know that I love poetry. When I learn a new language, I usually listen to songs, so my approach to a new language is quite similar to the approach to language we usually use with our children.

I would like to share just a few of the resources I use with my children about english poetry:

• Ken Nesbitt’s poems for children: http://www.poetry4kids.com/
• Giggle poetry: http://www.gigglepoetry.com/
• I found this collection of classical poems for children to read online. Some poems are for print and can be used as copies for the classroom. http://www.storyit.com/Classics/JustPoems/index.htm
• In this archive you can search for a poet or a poem: http://www.poetryarchive.org/childrensarchive/home.do
• Kathi Mitchell’s gives a few hints for acrostic, alphabetical, biographical etc. poems http://www.kathimitchell.com/poemtypes.html
• The poetry foundation has a site for children’s poetry. You’ll find all sorts of poems for children of every age group.
• new: This is a site recommended by Kathleen Bednar (thank you very much!). It is a brilliant site with many resources for learning about teaching poetry (teachers will find resources for handouts etc.) and learning everything about it:  “The Ultimate Poetry Resource Guide” – http://www.freebooknotes.com/ultimate-poetry-resource-guide/

All children enjoy funny rhymes. But sometimes, when they get older, these „baby-rhymes“ become less attractive. – How can we prevent that poetry becomes something boring and annoying for our children, something to be even embarassed for? They need peers who talk about subjects they’re more interested in, or who are simply funny for their age group.

For those who live in Europe and talk German, there’s a very interesting channel, arte, where you can find a great programm called poetry slam. People from different age groups perform their poetry. Have a look at these young poets „under 20“.

Or try to show your poetry-reluctant kids this great performance from Benjamin Zephaniah about „Talking Turkeys“.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1DKCaR9OzQ]

or his poem „Faceless“

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9IzHm9GCzk]

Do you have any other suggestions about poetry resources for toddlers, teenagers, and under-20’s?

Related articles

• Introduction to poetry writing (entangledinparadox.wordpress.com)
• The idea and the poem (brilliantbook.wordpress.com)
• Children’s Poetry Contest (darlenebeckjacobson.wordpress.com)