This poem is a compilation of little ‘truth-isms’ said to me over the years and I’ve saved them. It started with my three children when they were toddlers and then I saved more from my eleven grandchildren when they turned three.
Each little ’truth-ism’ was probably realized by making the mistake first and spending time in the ‘naughty chair’. That’s where they learned what they did was not a good idea.
I’ve always loved the words and phrases children use to describe what it’s like in their innocent little world. What is especially magic is when they don’t know the word for something, and they just make one up to fit the situation.
“I don’t like the naughty chair! It’s … it’s … GUNKY!”
I used to try out all the new poems on my kids and grandkids. (They were and still are my best and worst critics). If they approved, then the poem was finished. If they didn’t ‘get it’ I went back to my laptop to work on it.
One afternoon, after reading a new poem to my older grands, one of them said, “Oh Grammy, that’s good! I love your poems!”
My three-year-old granddaughter shouted, “Me Too! Me Too!” I’d been trying all week to think of a catchy title for the preschool book I was writing … and there it was, right in front of me.
I tried my best (between chuckles) to rhyme these so I could put them into a poem for the preschool poetry book, "Me Too! Preschool Poetry".
So without further discussion, I hope you enjoy the poem for children, from a child’s point of view —as all of mine are.
[**Please read aloud in your best ‘three-year old’ voice, especially the long run-on sentence].
Now I'm Three and I Know …
A Read Aloud Preschool Poem
by C.J. Heck
I know never touch fire, that's HOT,
but I can touch ice, 'cause it's not,
and puppies are soft and kitties are too,
so's most of the stuff moms and dads give to you.
I know, never tell people they're fat,
it will hurt them if I do that,
and rocks aren't for throwing at others
but it's okay to throw pillows at brothers.
I know daddy says swears I can't say,
and I have to wear clothes out to play,
'cause one time I went outside naked and Mrs. Johnson saw me and she called Mommy and Mommy came outside and got mad and she yelled at me and I had to sit in a chair for a whole time out and …
I know cookies smell better than cheese,
and to get one, I have to say "please".
I know always go pee in the potty,
but not in my pants, 'cause that's naughty.
I know flowers don't needs any feet,
and no dessert if I don't eat my meat.
I know I got to blow boogers in tissue,
and don't wipe off where ladies kiss you.
When I wake mommy up, never holler,
and pennies aren’t more than a dollar,
and scissors are never for cutting my hair,
the barber does that, (but I hate going there).
I laugh 'cause it's better than cry,
and you can't squeeze a worm, it will die.
My Daddy will laugh if I'm burping,
and Mommy's kiss helps when I’m hurting.
I know SO many things, now I'm three,
and this stuff helps ME be a good ME.
I know lots more than I did when I'm two.
It’s all stuff I can do and I can't do!
Bye-Bye.
[From the book, "Me Too! Preschool Poetry", by CJ Heck, available at Amazon]
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How sweet 💝. I am off to Melbourne tomorrow to stay for a couple of nights with my sister … and enjoy her grandchildren; 5, 4, 2 and 3 months. I am taking a book down for each of them (got to keep them into the tangibility of books) and off to the zoo Thursday. The call me GAS (Great Aunt Simone). Love it 🥰
That was a truly honest funny and learning experience for some kids i am sure . I loved it great writing again C.J. . hugs and peace to you