“Let’s read aloud together!”
Think about what happens when you sit down with your child and open a book. You might snuggle close and talk about a story you’re hearing for the first time, or laugh at a favourite line you’ve read together a hundred times.
Reading poetry aloud gives you those same moments together. A poem can be as short as four lines, and its rhythm, rhyme or surprise ending can give your child a reason to say, “Let’s read that one again.”
What children gain from reading aloud at home
Taking a turn reading aloud in front of a class can feel daunting when you’re still working out the words. At home, your child can pause, ask what a word means or try a line again with you beside them. You can give them time to work through a tricky word and help when they need it.
Reading together gives children a chance to hear new words, picture what’s happening and practise reading more smoothly. When they feel ready to share a poem with someone else, they can also try out some of the skills they’ll use in a presentation. Can they slow down so everyone hears the ending? Can they change their voice to show how a character feels? Read more about the skills children build through public speaking.
How to start reading poetry aloud together
- Choose a poem your child wants to hear. Start with four lines or a single stanza if a whole poem feels like a lot. A funny poem, an adventure or a subject your child already loves can make it easier to get started.
- Read it to them first. Let your child hear how it sounds. Then invite them to join in on a repeated line, take turns with you or read a stanza on their own.
- Offer a small audience when they’re ready. Your child might read a favourite stanza to a sibling or grandparent. Start by telling them something you enjoyed about their reading. For more ways to encourage them, see how to help your child prepare for a presentation.
Three poems to read aloud with children and teens
Ages 5 to 7 · The Little Turtle
Vachel Lindsay’s short poem has simple rhymes and repeated lines. Read the first stanza together, then see if your child wants to join in when the turtle starts snapping.
There was a little turtle.
He lived in a box.
He swam in a puddle.
He climbed on the rocks.
Ages 8 to 12 · Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face
Jack Prelutsky imagines what might happen if your nose were somewhere else, such as between your toes. Take turns reading a stanza, then ask your child which spot they think would be the worst. Try pausing just before the funniest line to see what it does for the joke.
Ages 13 to 18 · The Shooting of Dan McGrew
Robert W. Service’s ballad tells a dramatic story set in a Yukon saloon. Try reading the opening stanza twice, first as if you’re telling someone what happened and then as if you’re drawing them into a mystery. Ask your teen which version makes them want to hear what happens next. The poem includes a shooting and some strong language, so you may want to preview it together.
Read the full poem at the University of Toronto’s Representative Poetry Online.
