This thoughtfully designed Poetry and Early Literacy Programme for Sr. KG brings together a curated collection of poems that are an integral part of the curriculum. Each poem has been set to tune, and accompanying audio tracks have been shared to support joyful, rhythmic learning in the classroom.
At this stage, poetry is far more than recitation. It becomes a powerful vehicle for building early literacy foundations.

Why Poetry in Sr. KG?
Poetry naturally supports:
• Phonological awareness through rhyme, rhythm, and repetition
• Vocabulary development through rich, playful language
• Listening and speaking skills through musical engagement
• Memory and sequencing skills through patterned text
• Confidence in expression through group recitation and performance
When children sing and recite poems, they begin to internalize language patterns. Rhythm strengthens sound awareness, which is a critical precursor to reading.

Explicit Teaching of Print Awareness & Language Conventions
A key feature of this programme is the intentional teaching of early language conventions—the rules of print that adults often take for granted.
Teachers are encouraged to:
• Print the poem in large format (A3 size)
• Conduct shared reading experiences
• Guide children to:
o Track text from left to right
o Identify capital letters
o Notice and circle full stops and question marks
o Colour the spaces between words
o Recognize repeated or familiar sight words

Children can then reinforce these observations in their Sight Word and Literacy books through guided practice activities.
This approach moves poetry from passive listening to active literacy engagement.
Alignment with NEP 2020
The programme strongly aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy 2020, particularly:
• Foundational literacy as a national priority
• Play-based and activity-based learning in early years
• Multisensory and experiential approaches
• Development of language-rich environments
• Integration of music and arts into early education
By combining music, print awareness, and explicit literacy instruction, this resource supports the holistic development goals outlined in NEP 2020 while maintaining developmentally appropriate practice.

This Poetry and Early Literacy Programme empowers teachers to transform poems into structured literacy opportunities—building strong foundational skills while keeping learning joyful, musical, and meaningful.