Episode 197: More Than Cookies & Rhymes: How Poetry Teatime Builds Braver Learners
For the Busy Mommas…
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When was the last time learning in our home felt truly joyful? What would it look like to welcome wonder again…even just once a week?
What if something as simple as tea and poetry could bring joy, connection, and confidence to your homeschool—AND be something you look forward to, despite it being another thing on your calendar?
We're proof that it can, and we're spilling the tea on poetry teas.
Poetry Teatime (00:28)
It's summer and our days are full…meals, messes, places to go, memories to make, and the million little decisions no one sees.
We want to plan a thoughtful summer, one that helps us raise considerate, capable kids who grow into kind, confident adults. But somewhere in the hustle, it’s easy to forget that it's also allowed to feel like delight.
I remember the first time I lit a candle, set out chipped mugs, and read a poem aloud while crumbs covered the table. My kids were devouring the treats and scooping pounds of sugar into tiny mugs, and I only held a piece of their busy imaginations.
But that was very much the beauty of it. No pressure, no lesson plan. Just presence.
That was our first poetry teatime. And honestly? It's been a favorite with my kids ever since.
Today, we’re going to unpack how this small, delightful ritual—made famous by Julie Bogart’s book Brave Learner—can become a powerful rhythm in your home.
Not to add stress, but to invite soul.
What is Poetry Teatime? (02:25)
Not a Pinterest-worthy setup. Just a pause, some tea (or cocoa, or juice), a treat, and shared words.
Why Poetry Teatime Works (02:45)
Poetry engages both imagination and intellect, and it will…
Teach children about sound, inflection, voice, rhythm, and pitch.
Build vocabulary.
Introduce rich literature.
Encourage creativity and imagination.
Supports intellectual development by reading aloud.
Build emotional resilience and family bonds through beauty and rhythm.
Give children time to shine in a big family and root their little self-esteem in knowing their words matter. (even if just mom listens).
How to Begin Without Overwhelm (04:10)
Keep it simple…use mugs you have, poems from the library (or even your phone), and store-bought cookies, cupcakes, macarons, or bread.
15 minutes or less...because the snacks will be gone by the 10-minute mark. It’s really all you need.
It can work for little and big kids, keep it short and sweet. You may need to put limits on the poem lengths. If you have a kiddo who wants to read a longer selection, have that child go last and let the others go…then you can be the captive audience.
Lessons Beyond the Poem (06:05)
Conversation skills, listening, empathy, voice, and expression are all taught in poetry teatimes. When you’ve heard one person read a poem and then another person read a poem, it’s intriguing to see the difference in how it’s read. There are videos where different actors will read the same Shakespearean passages, and it’s fascinating to see how one small section of something can touch your heart and make you feel something can touch your heart and make you feel so different depending on where they put the inflection.
These sessions can cultivate attention spans and make space for delight in learning. A note on attention spans…my own family was kicked out of the library reading hour when I had three kids under two. It wasn't terrific, but…I didn’t give up. I worked on building the kids' attention span every day by starting with 2 minutes, then 3, and so on. After 10 years, we were able to attend story hour again!
You’re also building comprehension. There’s a lyrical story (sometimes complex) within many poems (even kids’ poems), and other times it’s super simple, and even the youngest ones can understand.
Don’t expect your littlest ones to listen through the whole poem…these skills are grown. If they listen to the first line, you’ve won! Release the littles and keep going with the bigger kids.
Making it Your Own (09:00)
Your poetry teatime is going to look very different than ours! It can be weekly, monthly, or even spontaneous!
A weekly poetry teatime works for Britt (Tuesdays are where she started), and the kids look forward to it.
Let your kids read their 'own' poems, even if they’re about farts. Celebrate their productions (even with clapping), it is such a beautiful thing!
Ask yourself: When was the last time learning in our home felt truly joyful? What would it look like to welcome wonder again? Even just once a week?
Try one poetry teatime this summer—nothing fancy: just you, your kids, a snack, and a poem. Snap a photo, write down how it felt, and tuck it away (or stick it on IG and use it as a digital portfolio).
This is what building brave learners looks like.
Let us know if you’d like some of our favorite kid-friendly poem books, or tips for introducing poetry to reluctant learners, and come back next week to hear Julie Bogart herself share how to cultivate brave writers in your families and your homeschools.
