If you feel intimidated at the thought of introducing children to poetry, you don’t need to worry. It’s easier than you’d think. And April is National Poetry Month. This is a great time to start some poetry activities with young children if you haven’t started them already.
Teaching poetry to young children is one of my favorite activities. Even when I was the director of my school and not teaching full-time, I still taught poetry and music twice a week at group time and creative writing during individual work time.
There are so many fun activities that can be used to introduce young children to poetry and rhythm. Today, I’ll share some Montessori-inspired poetry activities that can be used for a poetry unit or as individual poetry activities. There are many types of songs, rhymes, and fingerplays for young children that are wonderful for group activities, too.
Montessori-Inspired Preschool Poetry Activities
Oh, Precious Words from My Montessori Journey
Springtime Poetry Basket (Photo from Counting Coconuts)
Poetry Basket Posts from Counting Coconuts (photo from April Poetry Basket)
The Little Turtle Poetry Basket (Photo from Chasing Cheerios)
Our Summer Poetry Basket from Chasing Cheerios
Poetry: ‘Springtime’ from To the Lesson!
Poem of the Week (Photo from Our Montessori Home)
Poem of the Week from Our Montessori Home
Ladybug Poetry Basket (Photo from Discovery Moments)
Ladybug Poetry Basket from Discovery Moments
I have a post with Montessori-inspired rhyming fun for toddlers and preschoolers.
Bear Poetry Basket (Photo by Julie from The Adventures of Bear)
Bear Poetry Basket, Cloud Poetry Basket, and Ladybug Poetry Basket from The Adventures of Bear
Poetic Play from The Little List
Poetry and Rhyming Words from Rockabye Butterfly
Poetry Lives from Countryside Montessori School
Poetry for Kids Kit (available for purchase) from Montessori for Everyone
Montessori Services Poetry Materials (available for purchase)
Montessori Elementary Poetry Activities
April: National Poetry Month! (or How to Eat a Poem) from It’s Elementary!
World Poetry Day from Contemplating Montessori
Poetry Posts from The Very Montessori Blog
A Closer Look from MariaMontessori.com
Montessori Language Arts: Summer and Poetry from North American Montessori Center
Poetry Reading List from Middleburg Montessori School
When Poetry Meets Grammar from Keystone Montessori School
Montessori Students Explore Poetry and Life as a Poet (Children’s Meeting House Montessori School in Loveland) in Loveland Magazine
Animal Poetry (Original poetry based on the animals of Africa by elementary Montessori students who worked with a performance artist) from Montessori Magnet School
Montessori Coffee House from Maria Montessori School
Poetry Café for Valentines’ Day from Country Village Montessori School
Center Montessori Poetry Café: Brennan and R.J.
Poetry Posts and How to Memorize a Poem for elementary and up from Montessori Muddle
Poetry Pinterest Board
I have a Kids’ Poetry Pinterest board with activities of all types and for many different levels.
Have fun! I’d love to hear about your poetry activities! 🙂
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Deborah says
April 24, 2012 at 7:35 amHey Deb, What a detailed list. I’m looking forward to enjoying all these poetry ideas!
Deb says
April 25, 2012 at 6:50 amThanks, Deborah! I LOVE poetry baskets for individual work in addition to all the fun rhythmic activities that can be done at circle time. I’m glad you found some activities you can use! 🙂
Sasha says
April 24, 2012 at 5:05 pmDeb, I am always amazed at the amount of information you provide in your posts! Thank you so much taking the time to do this. Also, thank you for the link to my poetry post as well.
Deb says
April 25, 2012 at 6:51 amThanks for your kind comment, Sasha! I always love linking to your amazing posts! 🙂
Mary says
April 25, 2012 at 5:27 amWow — thank you for so many poetry resources!!!
Deb says
April 25, 2012 at 6:52 amThanks so much, Mary! I had lots of fun searching for them! 🙂
Julie says
April 27, 2012 at 6:52 amLove this. We recently added poetry to our weekly routine and my kids enjoy it so much. I love the idea of Poem of the Week. Thanks for linking up to Kids Co-Op.
Deb says
April 28, 2012 at 11:33 pmThanks so much, Julie! And I love that you added poetry to your weekly routine! 🙂
Maro s kindergarten crafts says
November 5, 2012 at 5:54 amI absolutely loved these poetry ideas! I am following your Pinterest board for more inspiration! I am trying lately to make small poems and emergent reader stories for kindergarten in Greek and I apprecciate all the inspiration I can find!