If you’re looking for a great way to boost your child’s cognitive development and language skills, look no further than the playful world of short poems and nursery rhymes. They’re not just a part of a child’s early readers’ kit, but they also hold an important role in the educational and developmental journey of your little ones. This article highlights some of the best English poems and famous nursery rhymes that are just the right size for your little child to recite.
Memorising and reciting poetry is a wonderful cognitive exercise for children. It stimulates their imagination, strengthens memory, and fosters an appreciation of poetry.
The complexity of classic poems, beautiful word pictures, and the musicality of language all help children develop listening skills, improve vocabulary, and better understand the nuances of their language. Furthermore, the playfulness of language found in nursery rhymes and the inherent rhythm in verses are great first introductions to the world of literature, helping to cultivate a lifelong love for reading.
Whether they are recounting fairy tales, depicting fascinating animal tales, or simply illustrating life’s simple pleasures, poems provide a window into different worlds and perspectives. The great delight of this poetic journey lies in the variety it offers – from the whimsical verses of Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss to the heartfelt reflections in Maya Angelou‘s works.
So let’s venture further and discover more captivating short English poems that your children can easily memorize and recite.
Each of these poems has been chosen for their simplicity, charm, and timeless appeal, making them an ideal introduction to the enchanting world of poetry for children.
Short Poems for Your Little Ones
1. The Tyger by William Blake (Shortened version)
Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
This classic children’s poem, with its vivid movements of the tiger and striking imagery, is a great poem to initiate children into the realm of poetry.
Related: Easy Tiger Craft
2. The Duck and the Kangaroo by Edward Lear
Said the Duck to the Kangaroo,
‘Good gracious! How you hop!
Over the fields and the water too,
As if you never would stop!
A funny poem by Edward Lear, filled with silly and delightful animal characters, sure to bring a smile to any child’s face.
3. A Good-Natured Ant by Robert Graves
There once was a good-natured ant
Who just wouldn’t say “Can’t”
Every time she’d fall,
She’d hear a kind call,
“Try again, dear ant, don’t recant.”
This short rhyming poem is not only easy for kids to memorise but also teaches them perseverance and resilience.
4. The Little Boy Lost by William Blake
Father! father! where are you going?
Oh do not walk so fast.
Speak father, speak to your little boy
Or else I shall be lost.
A poignant poem, it introduces children to different emotions and encourages empathy.
5. From There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System by Dr. Seuss
I’m the cat in the hat,
And we’re off to have fun.
We’ll visit the planets,
The stars, and the sun!
Dr. Seuss is known for his fun, engaging, and easy-to-read rhymes, which make his works ideal for children.
6. Cherry Tree by Katherine Litwin
Oh cherry tree, so fair and bright,
Your blossoms pure, a lovely sight,
In spring you bloom, in fall you rest,
Of all the trees, I love you best.
This beautiful nature poem, with its appreciation of a cherry tree, is a delightful way to introduce children to the beauty of the natural world around them.
7. From a Railway Carriage by Robert Louis Stevenson (shortened)
Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches,
And charging along like troops in a battle
All through the meadows the horses and cattle.
A classic children’s poem, it captures the joy and excitement of a train journey, a great delight for any child.
We have more From a Railway Carriage worksheets available, with more resources and details about this full poem.
8. Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll (Excerpt from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland)
‘Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe;
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths
outgrabe.
Although the language in this poem is playful and nonsensical, it stirs imagination and creativity, thereby cultivating a love for the complexity of classic poems in children.
9. Willie Winkie by William Makepeace Thackeray
Wee Willie Winkie runs through the town,
Upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown,
Tapping at the window, crying at the lock,
Are the children in their bed, for it’s past ten o’clock?
A nursery rhyme and a timeless classic, this is a lovely poem that’s easy for kids to remember and fun to recite.
10. The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear
The Owl and the Pussycat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
This short English poem is a great introduction to romantic tales, with its gentle rhythm and whimsical story.
11. Fairy’s Child by Robert Graves
The fairy’s child is full of grace,
With sparkling eyes and a merry face.
When the moon is bright and the stars shine,
The fairy’s child will dance and twine.
This enchanting poem captures the mystery and magic of fairy tales, a realm that never fails to captivate children.
12. A Thing of Beauty by John Keats (Excerpt)
A thing of beauty is a joy
forever:Its loveliness increases;
it will never
Pass into nothingness.
This poem’s theme is an appreciation of beauty, an essential perspective to teach children from an early age, promoting a positive outlook on life.
13. The Crocodile by Roald Dahl
No animal is half as vile
As Crocky-Wock, the crocodile.
On Saturdays he likes to crunch
Six juicy children for his lunch.
Roald Dahl’s funny poem about a bad black cat of a crocodile will certainly tickle your child’s funny bone. Dahl’s playful language, paired with the fantastical subject, makes this poem a favorite among children.
14. Eletelephony by Laura Elizabeth Richards
Once there was an elephant,
Who tried to use the telephant
—No! no! I mean an elephone
Who tried to use the telephone.
This hilarious poem deals with an elephant’s struggle to use a telephone. Its humor and simplicity make it a memorable read for the little ones.
15. Little Things by Julia Fletcher Carney
Little drops of water,
Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean
And the pleasant land.
Thus the little minutes,
Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.
This beautiful poem encourages children to understand the importance of “little deeds of kindness” and the grand impact they can have.
16. Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost (Excerpt)
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village, though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
This winter poem by Robert Frost is a beautiful snapshot of nature’s serenity, instilling an appreciation of nature’s beauty in young minds.
17. The Eagle by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
He clasps the crag with crooked hands;
Close to the sun in lonely lands,
Ring’d with the azure world, he stands.
This animal poem captures the majesty and grandeur of the eagle, adding to the storehouse of images in your child’s mind.
18. Bed in Summer by Robert Louis Stevenson
In winter I get up at night And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer, quite the other way, I have to go to bed by day.
This poem encapsulates a child’s perspective on the shift in bedtime with the changing seasons, a simple and relatable concept that children will find amusing.
19. White Bear by Karla Kuskin
I’m a big white bear.
It’s very cold in here.
So if you dare,
Come in and share,
My frosty lair.
Karla Kuskin’s poem transports us to the chilling yet fascinating world of the white bear, introducing children to the majesty of nature’s creatures.
20. The More It Snows by A.A. Milne
The more it snows (Tiddely pom),
The more it goes (Tiddely pom),
The more it goes (Tiddely pom),
On snowing.
And nobody knows (Tiddely pom),
How cold my toes (Tiddely pom),
How cold my toes (Tiddely pom),
Are growing.
This poem is an excerpt from the Winnie the Pooh book “The House at Pooh Corner” by A.A. Milne. This winter-themed verse captures the simple but profound experiences of snowy days, an endearing delight for children who’ve experienced the thrill of winter’s first snowfall.
The repetition and rhythm make it easy for children to remember and recite. Plus, the phrase “Tiddely pom” adds a touch of fun that children are sure to enjoy.
In addition to sharing these poems, you might also consider celebrating National Poetry Month with your children. This event takes place every April, and it’s a great first introduction to the wider world of poetry. You can participate by reading a poem a day, or maybe even encouraging your children to write their own poems.
Finally, consider employing tools like index cards to help your children memorize their favorite verses. You could write a line or two on each card and turn the task of organizing them into a fun game. This practice will not only reinforce memorization but will also provide a tactile element to the learning process.
Remember, fostering an appreciation of poetry in your children doesn’t have to be complicated. In the words of poet and teaching artist Ernest Mann, “poetry is not a luxury, but a necessity.” It’s never too early to start cultivating a love for the rhythm, rhyme, and emotional depth that poetry can provide.
Sharing the best English poems and nursery rhymes with your children is a wonderful way to spend quality time together while also teaching them valuable language and cognitive skills. It’s never too early to introduce kids to the great delight of poetry. Whether it’s a funny poem by Edward Lear or a nature poem like Katherine Litwin’s Cherry Tree, the rhymes and rhythms can serve as an enjoyable learning tool for your child.
Encourage your kids to try their hand at memorizing and reciting these verses – you might just be nurturing the next William Wordsworth or Emily Dickinson!
More Poetry
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- 17 Sweet Valentine’s Day Poems, Quotes and Love Messages
- Rainbow Poem for Kids (Free Printable Worksheet)
- Introducing Children to the Poems of Robert Louis Stevenson
- Leaf-Decorated Autumn Poem
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
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