Literary
Criticism: Selecting Poetry for Children
1.
Poems that are lively, with exciting meters and rhythms, are most likely
to appeal to young children.
2.
Poems for young children should emphasize the sounds of language and encourage
play with words.
3.
Sharply cut visual images and words used in fresh, novel manners allow
children to expand their imaginations and see or hear the world in a new
way.
4.
Poems for young children should tell simple stories and introduce stirring
scenes of action.
5.
The poems selected should have been written down to children’s supposed
level.
6.
The most effective poems allow children to interpret, to feel, and to put
themselves into the poems.They encourage
children to extend comparisons, images, and findings.
7.
The subject matter should delight children, say something to them, enhance
their egos, strike happy recollections, tickle their funny bones, or encourage
them to explore.
8.
Poem should be good enough to stand up under repeated readings.