by Lorelei Cohen

Created on: September 09, 2008   Last Updated: March 11, 2010

If you want to write poetry that will grab a Child's attention, and keep it for the duration of the poem, then just keep a few basic rules in hand as you write. The number one rule of thumb is that you have to think like a child! Don't think like a grown up or write like one. Instead take a step backwards in time to a much simpler form of mind, a time when you were young, innocent, and very open minded. Think back to when you were a kid.

Remember that children have very creative imaginations, and they are always looking for something that will stimulate it, use this to your advantage. When you write poetry designed with children in mind; write poetry that will set these curious little minds to thinking!

"He was so afraid
that his teeth began to shake
They clicked and clacked so hard
They sounded like a big old rattlesnake."

Also remember to use humor to your advantage. Even dark issues are more interesting and understandable when there is an upside to the story. Keep the mood of your poetry lighthearted no matter what issue it is that your poem deals with.

When writing your prose try to use characters that children can relate to or feel empathy for. The more that they are able to identify with your characters, the more interested the children will be to find out what happens to these imaginary people. You will have the kids anxiously listening right through to the very end of your tale.

"Mitzy, Fritzy and Plog
Went down to the hollow
To search for a frog.
Mitzy caught a cold
Fritzy a runny nose
And poor Plog
He hurt his leg
when he tripped
and fell over a log.

Not a one of them
Came anywhere close enough
To catch a frog!"

Don't forget to give your characters unique names and identities. It will make them more distinct, and as such, more easily remembered by your audience.

"Skitchim, skatchum,
rubba rub rub,
gonna catch me a turtle
to live in my tub.

Fiddily faddily foo,
And a Gumpin, Bumpin,
Going down to the creek
Gonna catch me a little something."

Remember that the words that you use in your poem don't have to make sense to adults. They just have to make sense to your audience and your audience are little munchkin people who have huge imaginations. Although the words that you use in your verse might be total nonsense words, a child's imagination is stimulated by these creative, and unique sounding words. The nonsense makes perfect sense to them and it will stand out in their minds. Try to have your words flow in a rhythm. Make your words rhyme. Music appeals to all ages and the sound of a beautiful flowing poem is very similar to a song. Children can relate to the musical pace that is available to them in a truly good poem.

Put yourself into a child's world and into a child's mind. Remember the raw emotion that a child is capable of feeling. Make your poem emotional. Make the child see and feel the image that you are trying to create.

"It might be wiggly
It might be squiggly
It might be covered in goo
But I am gonna catch it
and take it home to you."

It isn't difficult to write childrens poetry. You just have to take your mind backwards in time into that wonderful imaginary land that children exist in, examine it, and then write about it.

"Fiddily faddily foo
Now I've gone and gotten
Something stuck in my shoe!
Ewwwwwwwwwww
It is that awful
yucky old goo

And I am gonna take it
Straight home to you."

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