Exposing children to poetry is a fun and impactful way to help them develop into readers. It helps them grasp concepts such as rhyming, alliteration, word families, and more—building their awareness of the sounds that make up words. Poetry can help children develop a love for language, creativity, and self-expression, too.
When it comes to children’s poetry, parents and teachers often reach for classic standbys, from Mother Goose to Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky. These are fun, inventive, and high-quality, but they’re not particularly varied. Just as diversity matters when choosing fiction and nonfiction picture books, it’s also important to seek out diverse poetic voices for our children’s bookshelves.
Black authors have made significant and unique contributions to the world of children’s poetry. These contributions include works that celebrate the beauty of black culture, history, and identity. Children’s poems by black poets allow black children to see themselves centered, celebrated, and heard. And they can support other children to develop empathy, understanding, and appreciation for diversity.
Fall in love with these 10 fabulous children’s poems by black poets and watch your child fall in love, too.
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