“As childcare practitioners, we are well-aware of the benefits of sharing poetry with children in terms of development and wellbeing; it increases motivation to read, builds phonemic awareness, encourages vocabulary, helps with recall, encourages listening and attention, provides an outlet to express feelings and emotions.”
Kirsty Bard, Lakehouse and Stationhouse Nurseries, Portishead
The Need:
Kirsty felt the impact of the Coronavirus Lockdowns on the children in her nursery particularly in regards to speech and language difficulties. The team were looking for a resource to support communication and to encourage confidence and independence. They also wanted to help the children to express themselves emotionally.
What They Did:
The nurseries started using The Poetry Basket on a daily basis during circle times. Practitioners and children recite the poems, enhancing this activity through the use of props and puppets. The settings focus on a new poem every week, and always revisit favourites on request from the children.
Children are also given access to their own copy of ‘The Poetry Basket. These are kept on the bookshelf so they can flick through them, looking at the pictures and reciting the poems.
Parents are sent a copy of the poem of the week to explore at home with their children.
The Results:
The Poetry Basket provided a framework to support communication and emotional development. Regularly reciting the poems in the setting and at home enabled children to develop their confidence, independence, and language skills. It also led to their fascination for a variety of subjects. After learning the poem Thunderstorm, children became keen to learn about earthquakes, tornadoes, and volcanoes. Working in this way also enabled a child with limited language skills, to manage his social interactions and has ensured that he is now present, focused and engaged throughout circle time.
