How Short Poems Can Help Kids Read Better

“The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

— Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!”

Reading is very important. As Dr Seuss said, The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."

However, sometimes, reading can be tough for kids. When I was teaching Korean kids back then, it was one of those tasks they dread the most. Turning the pages of the book and reading out loud. I even overheard from another room, a 6-year-old student who sobbed and said, "Teacher I don't wanna read, my lips are tired." 

My kid was 5 years old at that time but still found it hard to read phrases and sentences. He would spend several minutes looking at the page, brows knit before reading out the lines. I bought him a Dr. Seuss book, The Foot Book. I read the book out loud and he would repeat. After a couple of weeks, he could read on his own. I have also notice that there was a different spark in his eyes when he read out loud.

I bought more books with short poems in it and sometimes, we would make our own short poems. I could say short poems  really helped him to read better and faster.

Generally, short poems are quite helpful in motivating kids to read more. Because of its short lines, easy words and rhythm , kids tend to be more interested and think of it more as play and not reading.

When kids are more motivated into doing something, they tend to do it more frequently. Short poems motivate kids to read more. They feel more comfortable in reading out the easy lines, and they tend to read more lines and before they know it, they have read the entire book. 

At the same time it also increases their vocabulary. Short poems include good vocabulary and even though the lines are short, kids learn more new words. Kids could also remember words better because of the rhyming sounds. 

 Here are two short poems I have written which was inspired by our trip to the zoo:

• Poem 1 - The Bird in the Zoo
• Poem 2 - Little Pony
  
  
  

Poem 1  

 The Bird in the Zoo

 I went to the zoo.

Found a bird smaller than my shoe. 

This bird is so unique.

And his feathers look quite terrific!

He walks so bold.

So proud of his crown of gold.

Oh! What a sight!

For a bird with such a short height.

 

Poem 2 

 

Little Pony

 

Hey little pony! 
With eyes so sparkly
     And hair so dandy.
Can you give me a ride?
     But please don't let me slide.
Let's hit the road and glide! 

 

 

 

Poem 3

Short Poems are Like Gnomes

 

Short poems are like gnomes -

Short and friendly

Interesting and cheery.

Gnomes make your garden look fancier

Short poems make you read better!

 

Short poems have the fun elements of reading, short lines, easy-to-read words, fancy new words,  and the rhyming sounds. 

 

To get the most out of the short poems, you can read it aloud first and put some actions or different tones with the words. With the second reading, you can read one line and let your kid repeat. 

 

After the second reading, ask some questions like "Is the bird in the zoo, big or small?" or "What makes the bird so unique?" For poem 2, "How does the pony look like?" or "Where do you think the pony is going?"  

 

Simple questions like these can let you check the kid's reading comprehension and also on how to make simple inferences. In answering your questions, the kids will also make us of the new words they have learned!

Finally, you can let your kid read it on his own. you may guide him, but be patient and let him figure out the words by himself. When your kid's having a hard time, you can give clues like point the picture or make some action. In that way, it makes it a lot more fun and easier for him. Believe me, by the time, he finishes reading the short poem all by himself, he would feel a different kind of accomplishment and this will make him being more motivated to read more!