How to Help Your Child Write a Haiku

Recently my daughter came home with a home work assignment to write a Haiku. I remember writing them in school, but that was awhile ago and I didn't remember the formula.
Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry or verse. The poem sets a scene, portrays a feeling, or sets a mood. A Haiku does not rhyme. The formula is very simple. There are exactly three lines. The first and last line are five syllable long and the middle line is seven syllables long. Writing simple Haiku with your children is really quite fun. All children are natural poets.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• pen and paper

1. 
    

   First, think of a theme with you child. What are their interests, animals, holidays, favorite time of year, things that make them happy, things that make them sad, nature. My daughter is very interested in space so she choose the write about the moon. The Haiku in this article is hers.

2. 
    

   Line one is five syllables:
   The full moon is out

3. 
    

   Line two is seven syllables:
   High in the sky, it shines down

4. 
    

   Line three is five syllables:
   Moonlight in my yard

5. 
    

   That's it she just wrote a beautiful Haiku.
   The full moon is out
   High in the sky, it shines down
   Moonlight in my yard

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a poetry journal with your children
• Have fun!

[langleycornwell]

on 4/6/2009 I love Haikus and your daughter's is wonderful. Thanks for sharing it. 5*s.

[bossypants]

on 4/5/2009 Beautiful Haiku! Your daughter is talented (of course you know that!!). Thanks for sharing the information and instruction, too!

[tachic]

on 3/26/2009 I love Haikus. This was the easiest part of poetry for me.

[sonni57]

on 3/26/2009 I've never heard of Haiku thanks for the info.

[FrazzledNanny]

on 3/5/2009 Thanks for the article. My daughter will be writing these soon I'm sure. 5*