three autumn poems

for you to enjoy with children aged 3-6 years.

Exposure to a broad and engaging vocabulary through conversation, reading aloud, singing or listening to poetry and rhyme provides a solid foundation on which a child can develop spoken language skills.

Poetry utilizes rhythm in a way that differs from everyday conversation, creating an additional point of interest for the child to tune in to; poetry can also present vocabulary that might not typically be heard otherwise. Here are three seasonal poems for you to read aloud with your preschooler! Relish the sounds as you read them. Enjoy the flow of the words and phrases. And, of course, listen to your child’s feedback on the imagery conjured up by these short examples. Autumn’s unique beauty has inspired many such rhymes! Can you create a personal poetry library during these glorious golden days?

The Squirrel by Emily Dickinson

Whisky Frisky,
Hippity hop,
Up he goes
To the tree top!

Whirly, twirly,
Round and round
Down he scampers
To the ground.

Furly, curly,
What a tail!
Tall as a feather
Broad as a sail

Experiment to me
Is every one I meet.
If it contain a kernel?
The figure of a nut

Presents upon a tree,
Equally plausibly;
But meat within is requisite,
To squirrels and to me.

October’s Party by George Cooper 

October gave a party;

     The leaves by hundreds came --

The Chestnuts, Oaks and Maples,

     And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet,

     And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing,

     Professor Wind the band.

The Chestnuts came in yellow,

     The Oaks in crimson dressed;

The lovely Misses Maple

     In scarlet looked their best;

All balanced to their partners,

     And gaily fluttered by;

The sight was like a rainbow

     New fallen from the sky.

Then, in the rustic hollow,

     At hide-and-seek they played,

The party closed at sundown,

     And everybody stayed.

Professor Wind played louder;

     They flew along the ground;

And then the party ended

     In “jolly hands around.”

Misty by Shirley Hughes

Mist in the morning,

Raw and nippy,

Leaves on the pavement,

Wet and slippy,

Sun on fire,

Behind the trees,

Muddy boots,

Muddy knees.