Christmas Poems for Kids

From LoveToKnow Christmas

Creating Christmas poems for kids is a great way to keep kids busy over Christmas break. Because December 25th is one of many children’s favorite days of the year, they will enjoy writing a few poems to celebrate the special holiday.

Holiday Poem Starters

To get children in the mood to write a Christmas poem, read the traditional story Twas the Night Before Christmas. Although it is a book, the story is actually a poem. Following the story, allow the kids to brainstorm some Christmas topics for their poem. Ideas may include:

Types of Christmas Poems for Kids

After children have chosen their topic for the poem, they can begin writing. Young children who are learning how to write may have difficulty writing more than one or two lines that rhyme, known as couplets.

Poetry is about more than rhyming, although that is a big part of many Christmas poems for kids. Children can write poetry that takes the form of:

  • Acrostic: Kids can write a Christmas acrostic poem. The format is to write a poem where the first letter of each line spells a word vertically.
  • Cinquain: Five lines are in cinquain poetry. The first line is one word, a noun, which is the subject of the poem. The second line has two adjectives describing the subject, the third line has three action words (verbs) that end in “-ing,” and the fourth line is a phrase about the feelings the poem subject invokes. The final line is one word, a synonym for the first line.
  • Haiku: Japanese haiku poetry is comprised of three lines. The first and third lines have five syllables each, while the second line has seven syllables.
  • Limerick: Though usually associated with St. Patrick’s Day, the format can be used to write humorous Christmas poems. The first, second, and fifth lines in a limerick rhyme and usually contain around nine syllables. The third and fourth lines rhyme and have approximately five or six syllables.
  • Quatrains: Quatrains have four lines that rhyme. The poem can be written as two couplets or have every other line rhyme.

Cinquains, haikus and limericks are best suited for older children. Acrostic, couplet and quatrain poetry is better for youngsters just learning about language and writing.

Sharing Christmas Poetry

Kids will love to share their new holiday poems with each other and with family and friends. Have your child share his or her poem by doing the following:

  • Read the poem aloud during show-and-tell at school.
  • Send relatives an email with the poem.
  • Draw a picture to go with the poem and printing it in a Christmas family newsletter.
  • Copy the poem onto holiday stationary and framing it.
  • Recite the poem before Christmas dinner.

Christmas Poem-ing

Another way to have children share their Christmas poems is to go Christmas “poeming” instead of caroling. Visit neighbors, relatives, nursing homes and hospitals, with the kids singing their newly written poems aloud to the melody of classic Christmas carols. Print off several copies of the various poems with the tune next to the titles. Practice at home a few times before heading out to share the new verses of the Christmas music.

Family Poetry Books

Create a family Christmas poetry book by having all of the kids and grandkids write a poem on Christmas Eve. Place the poems into a large binder and read them aloud the next year when the family gets together. Once a child turns 18, take out all of his poetry so he can have a keepsake from childhood holidays.

Writing Christmas poems for kids does not have to be an academic undertaking. Simply give the children a few pointers on topics and forms, and let their creative juices flow during the fun holiday season.

Retrieved from "http://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Poems_for_Kids"

 


Comment on Christmas Poems for Kids



(Displayed with your comment)                        (Will not be displayed)
Verification Code:   
    

Christmas Categories
LoveToKnow Tools
More Articles