Welcome to June 2022 edition of our newsletter dedicated to the topic of poetry.
Perceived by some as fine art enjoyed by few, poetry is more commonplace than not.
It is present in songs, rhymes, commercials, and even in everyday communication. If we are lucky, it makes its appearance when we are in awe of the world we live in and impactful interactions we experience.
Children are naturally appreciative of poetry. They love rhymes, the emotion poetry conveys. Additionally, poetry is simply good for their development.
If you have any resources on poetry that you would like to share with our Early Years Community, please send them my way.
On a personal note, I am sharing with you one of my favourite poems in hopes that you experienced many a day described in it yourself.
Stay in touch,
Baa Maa Pii Gaawaabmin (I’ll See You Later)
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Kasia Oxley, Children’s Services Community Facilitator, Children’s Programs and Services
Work Cell: (705) 644-1533
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Please note that the information contained in this newsletter is intended to encourage conversation and self-reflection and is not to be considered as advice. |
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Why Is Poetry Important? Why Should We Read Poetry to Children?
Time commitment: depends on level of exploration
Areas of interest: literacy, literature, vocabulary, reading, poetry
Format: website
Why is poetry important?
Does poetry even matter for kids these days and, if so, why does it matter?
Why should we bother reading poetry to children at all?
These are pretty good questions to ask.
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Benefits of Poetry for Children
Time commitment: depends on level of exploration
Areas of interest: language development, cognitive development, relational development, vocabulary
Format: website
The benefits of poetry for children are incredible and many (…) Have you ever wondered how you could help your child in their language development, memory skills, vocabulary, or relationships? Well, keep on reading, because we are going to touch on each one of those topics.
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Children's Poetry Archive - Listen to the world's best children's poetry read out loud
Time commitment: depends on level of exploration
Areas of interest: poetry, literacy
Format: website
Poetry doesn't just live in books - it lives in the sounds that words make. When we read poems out loud we breathe life into them and we can picture them in our imagination. The Children’s Poetry Archive is a place where you can listen to poems read out loud. We have poems read by the poets who wrote them as well as poems which other people have recorded for us. We think everyone has a favourite poem, it’s just that they haven’t heard it out loud yet. We hope you find your favourite here. |
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JAY-Z "Rap is Poetry"
Time commitment: 1 minute, 30 seconds
Areas of interest: poetry, rap, music, expression
Format: video
JAY-Z speaks on his best-selling book, "Decoded". He also sheds light on the fact that rap/hip hop should be looked at as poetry, and claims that certain hip hop artists can and should be respected as poets.
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Hip-Hop & Shakespeare? Akala at TEDxAldeburgh
Time commitment: 20 minute, 24 seconds
Areas of interest: poetry, rap, music, expression
Format: video
Akala demonstrates and explores the connections between Shakespeare and Hip-Hop, and the wider cultural debate around language and its power.
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Why do we read and write poetry? (Dead Poets Society)
Time commitment: 1 minute, 18 seconds
Areas of interest: poetry, expression, fine arts
Format: video
Dead Poets Society is a wonderful film, obviously filled with a lot of references to English and American poetry. In this scene, John Keating (Robin Williams) teaches his pupils the reason for reading and writing poetry, quoting Whitman's Leaves of Grass |
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Poetry on prescription from the Emergency Poet - BBC News
Time commitment: 3 minute, 47 seconds
Areas of interest: poetry, power of words
Format: video
Feeling under the weather?
There may be pills or potions that would help, but maybe some words of wisdom are what you really need.
Deborah Alma is the Emergency Poet, travelling around fairs and festivals prescribing poetry to those in need.
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Poetry Foundation
Time commitment: depends on level of exploration
Areas of interest: poetry, culture
Format: website
The Poetry Foundation, publisher of Poetry magazine, is an independent literary organization committed to a vigorous presence for poetry in our culture. It exists to discover and celebrate the best poetry and to place it before the largest possible audience.
The Poetry Foundation works to raise poetry to a more visible and influential position in our culture. The Foundation seeks to be a leader in shaping a receptive climate for poetry by developing new audiences, creating new avenues for delivery, and encouraging new kinds of poetry.
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EARLY YEARS COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS |
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Thank you Cassandra Carter (Home Visitor with Muskoka Home Child Care) for this contribution:
Over the past 10 months, we have been meeting with our Providers to learn about Loose Parts but in a pedagogical manner, so the topic is fluid at times. The intention with the content below is to put it into a book for our Providers on Storyjumper, for a keepsake of their journey. It was as much fun to do as the sessions were.
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Once a month, on a Thursday our team would commence,
For an evening of learning but Cassandra was tense.
She wanted to ensure that the time was well spent,
That each person attending was ignited and would lament;
How their loose parts journey was one of success,
That they felt inspired, reflective and eager to progress.
In no time at all, it was easy to see,
That this journey was like putting a lock with a key.
Within the first couple of sessions they understood that Loose parts is a practice,
That is, if they embrace imagination, resourcefulness and creativity, the fact is.
They were given the task to play with loose parts in their programs,
To get comfortable with the thing-a-ma-bobs, whatchamacallits, and flimflams.
Their interest started growing when they made the connection,
That if they enjoyed the materials, the children too would feel the affection.
Our conversations began to sway towards child-led learning,
So of course, we dove in and the interest started churning.
“Play is at the heart of the curriculum”, there was never a doubt,
This crew already knew this, even without a handout.
The importance of a carefully crafted environment was discussed,
To ensure that each child felt intrigued, engaged and curious.
We learned to throw away the years schedule and agenda,
And instead follow the interests of Lincoln, Claire and Brenda.
Observations are key to be a child-led detective,
To see the world through their eyes, to be most affective.
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To make a child feel valued and want to rejoice,
We must nourish the relationship and honour their voice.
The question of why children do something over and over became clear,
When we learned about schemas, we no longer needed to sneer.
The objects that fly through the air,
Are really, truly, no reason to despair.
Peek-a-boo with your crew,
Means the verge of a breakthrough.
And that bucket that’s dumped 30 times a day,
Well these are simply children learning through play.
Now zipping back to the importance of observations,
We learned about how to create provocations.
Through listening and recording and keeping a keen eye,
We can set up a space that greatly intensifies;
Not only the learning that you see on the surface,
But also beneath it, that’s really the purpose.
Build those brains big and strong,
Help those children along.
Make them all feel loved and included,
A safe space to feel special and rooted.
Now the fab 5 exuded quality care before,
That’s why they are all well loved and adored.
But with new tools in their tool box and a knowledge in their brains,
They were inspired to take action and held on to the reigns.
Through conversations and home visits, it was easy to see,
That the knowledge was being practiced and Cassandra smiled with glee.
She knew that these quality care providers were the best,
And that each child and family should feel truly blessed.
For they: Sara, Rylan, Bonnie, Kari and Cassie,
Were making a difference for every lad and lassie.
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Please write to Kasia to let her know your thoughts on poetry or any other topic for a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50)
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EARLY YEARS PROFESSIONALS IN MUSKOKA |
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What is your current job, and how did you arrive at it, in other words why do you do what you do?
I am an EarlyON Facilitator with The District Municipality of Muskoka. My love for working with children began while volunteering in a kindergarten classroom. I learned about EarlyON when one of my placements with Sheridan College was at an EarlyON facility. My passion grew witnessing the environment and the immediate impact that the programs had on families. I enjoy having the ability to offer families various resources and ideas for activities that could be recreated at home.
Without disclosing confidential information, please tell me how your involvement within the early years profession created a better outcome for a child/family.
I had a child in a classroom that had recently lost his father. Working with Autism Intervention Services we were able to create strategies that his mother could continue to use at home. Strategies that allowed them to play together, strategies for him to work independently, and strategies to communicate his needs more effectively. These strategies gave her relief during a very difficult time. I continue to receive emails from her to this day thanking me for the consistency, patience, and creativity that I had in his early learning.
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What's most challenging about the work you do?
Modelling appropriate practices for older generations that still hold old beliefs and values while engaging in play, i.e. Still holding the belief that the product is more important than the process.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I enjoy spending time with family, mountain biking, hiking, and baking.
What book/resource could you recommend to our readers?
To anyone potty training I would recommend: “Oh Crap! Potty Training” by Jamie Glowacki
What’s your favorite quote?
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain” - Dolly Parton
Who inspires you and why?
My Grandmother for the way that she cherishes and values family, for owning and operating a successful business for years, and for her ability to communicate and create a memorable moment with everyone that she meets.
In the last couple of years, what new belief, behavior, or habit, or item, has most improved your life?
Habit: Grocery shopping just once a week and planning the meals for the week while in the store. We have cut our grocery bill down significantly and we are eating better than we ever have.
What advice would you give your teenage self?
I would advise my teenage self of three things:
1) wear sunscreen!. 2) be adventurous, travel to new places and be outgoing. 3) express your gratitude to others more often.
What would you take with you to a desert island?
Sunscreen, a bathing suit, headphones to play music, and a sleeping bag.
Anything else that you would like to share?
I am excited for my first summer in Muskoka! Thank you for the opportunity to share a bit about myself with you!
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Click here ,or the picture above, to answer the poll about feedback!
May 2022 Poll winner:
Aly Guildford
Congratulations Aly!
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For a chance to win a resource of your choice (value of up to $50), please submit a reflection of yours to Kasia on a topic of your choice that you would like to be considered for publication in one of the upcoming newsletter editions.
Your submission does not have to be in a form of an essay, other forms of expression are welcome, such as: poetry, video footage, note, opinion piece, interview, photos accompanied by a short text, review, etc.
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