Why poetry is just what we need to lift our lockdown mood
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Writing poetry has always been a way for people to express difficult feelings and emotions.
There is something so cathartic about immortalising thoughts on paper, particularly if those words are arranged in a precise and pleasing arrangement of sounds and syllables, yet as technology advances and people find other outlets for self-expression poetry is becoming less and less mainstream.
For those for whom poetry is unfamiliar it can seem a daunting and curious art form, especially when it comes to introducing children.
Part of the joy of poetry, however, is its simplicity.
It doesn’t have to be The Iliad; it can be playful and silly and freeing.
It can also be tender or thoughtful, pensive or angry, hopeful or despairing.
Poetry can be anything you want it to be, and that is its unique beauty.
World Poetry Day is the perfect excuse to use poetry to help children (and adults) through these tough times.
So how exactly can poetry help?
First and foremost, poetry is fun!
If you search nonsense poetry online with your children you will find a plethora of hilariously stupid poems to make your children laugh.
Or you could look up the poems of the nonsense king, Spike Milligan, for some classic nonsense such as On The Ning Nang Nong or Land Of The Bumbly Boo.
Funny poems, whether nonsense or not, are fantastic at any time of day to lighten the mood – and we could all use a bit more of that at the moment!
Poetry is also a great way of encouraging children to explore their feelings.
Children have had to deal with so much this past year: a scary virus, school closures, virtual learning, missing family and friends, as well as the loss of loved ones for many.
Poetry gives children the chance to reflect on how they feel and give a voice to their feelings.
Encouraging your children to write a poem, carefully choosing which words they want to include, can help them process difficult emotions.
It also affords children the chance to look to the future and the (hopefully) brighter days ahead.
We all need a big old dose of hope right now and poetry can help children express what they are looking forward to about the future, helping them recognise that current events are just temporary and that life will look different soon.
In honour of World Poetry Day 2021, PlanBee ran a competition to help children aged five to 11 engage with poetry, and they will be announcing the winners today (Sunday).
