Page 4 - June 2025 Newsletter

POETRY PAGE

I have a rather different poetry page this month. I thought I might
look at a debate concerning poetry and its place in education. As
a University language/literacy specialist, I was often asked
whether I thought it was a useful activity to get children to learn
poems off by heart at school. I always found this a difficult
question to answer, even though I know myself that I have in my
head lots of poems (or extracts of poems) that I learnt by heart in
my own schooling. But there is some debate about whether
teachers should encourage or insist on their pupils doing that. I’ve
tried to take a balanced look at the reasons for and against it:

✅ Reasons For Learning Poems by Heart
1. Language Development
• Reciting poetry improves vocabulary, pronunciation, rhythm,
and intonation.
• It exposes children to rich and varied language patterns,
enhancing their literacy skills.
2. Memory and Cognitive Skills
• Memorisation strengthens memory, concentration, and
mental discipline.
• This can help learning in all subjects.
3. Cultural and Literary Appreciation
• Poetry is a key part of literary heritage. Learning it by heart
helps children appreciate the beauty and power of language.
• It connects children with historical and cultural traditions.
4. Confidence and Public Speaking
• Performing poems in front of others boosts self-esteem and
oral presentation skills.
5. Emotional and Personal Expression
• Poems often express deep emotions. Learning and reciting
them can help children connect with their own feelings and
experiences.

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