It is never too early to introduce to young children the beauty of a language by sharing with them classical poems, be they in English or Chinese. Young children love saying aloud rhymed and rhythmed texts. Reading aloud poems to young children and encouraging them to follow is a great way to develop their sense of beauty for a language. Introducing to them poems early in life can greatly facilitate their literacy skills when they progress to Year 1 and onwards. Every Reception child I have taught loves copying me reading aloud or reciting poems. So, why not reading aloud poems to your children? Perhaps once a week, if not every day. If you are struggling to find good poems. Here are a few suggestions.
- What is Pink? by Christina Rossetti
- A Splash of Blue by Emily Dickinson
- A Change in the Year by William Wordsworth
- Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star by Jane Taylor (the full poem)
- Moonlight, Summer Moonlight by Emily Brontë
- The Month by Sara Coleridge
- The Cow by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Fly Away, Fly Away, Over the Sea by Christina Rossetti
- The Rain by May Justus
- The Rainbow by Christina Rossetti