Poetry Tea Time Favorites

Poetry Tea Time is an opportunity to gather your children around the table, enjoy a cup of tea (lemonade, juice, hot chocolate, etc.), read together, and enjoy deep conversation.  Poetry is a perfect thing to read during tea time because poems are often relatively short and great for discussion.  It is a time for connection and fun.

Can Kids Really Enjoy Poetry?  Or Tea?

When mom takes a few minutes out of her day to just enjoy being with her children, it makes memories. Click To Tweet

Even my son has learned to appreciate poetry.  It isn’t so much that poetry is awesome (though it can be).  The real spark comes from the connection.  When mom takes a few minutes out of her day to sit down and just enjoy being with her children, it makes memories.  I aspire to decorate the table with themes occasionally and use fancy cups, but it doesn’t happen that often.  The magic is in just being together, savoring some good poems or stories, and enjoying a little snack. My kids have even learned to appreciate fruity teas occasionally.  

When?  How?  How Often?

Poetry Tea Time is a simple way for us to end our school day on a positive note. Click To Tweet

Poetry Tea Time is a simple way for us to end our school day on a positive note.  If you don’t homeschool, it could be a fun way to enjoy an afternoon snack.  It may even be a bit of Saturday afternoon fun.  Perhaps, it is just for a special occasion.  Just do what works for you and makes memories for your family.  Our children know we love them when we make time for them.

To be in your child’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today.”  Barbara Johnson

My Poetry Tea Time Favorites

The Bible has some amazing poetry and passages.  Don’t forget about the books of Psalms and Proverbs. This is a perfect time to use actual Bible verses, not just children’s Bibles. There are lots of Bible themed poems and children’s devotions written in rhyme as well.  Poetry Tea Time could be a really fun way to have family devotions!

Here are some of our other favorites. Some are more serious, some are just plain silly.  You have to know your child and evaluate the kind of day that you are having!

National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200 Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar!  The photos in this book are AMAZING!  There is at least one poem about people evolving from apes, but you can just skip over that one if you wish.

Eric Carle’s Animals Animals  may seem familiar to your younger Eric Carle fans.  That may be just what they need to give poetry a chance.

 The Random House Book of Poetry for Children, The 20th Century Children’s Poetry Treasury, and Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young  are great anthologies.  Two of these are compiled by Jack Prelutsky, who has some awesome poetry of his own.

Falling Up is one of Shel Silverstein’s great books of poetry.  You can’t go wrong with any of his books!

Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Songs is perfect for a discussion of how songs are really poems in disguise.  It’s also good for a day that you need some laughter.

Giant Children is another poetry book that guarantees laughs.  Warning:  It does have a gross factor.  Your kids will love it, but if that’s not your thing, you might want to steer clear of this one.

 

What are your favorite poems, books, or Bible passages to read with your children? How do you make them special?  

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