POETRY – A PLAYFUL PATHWAY TO STUDENTS’ EMOTIONAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
In the school context, the reading of literary texts plays a fundamental role, as it contributes to the accumulation and development of knowledge, the enrichment of vocabulary necessary for achieving appropriate language use, and the cultivation of a taste for reading. Literary reading provides students with insights into the world around them, ranging from the environment and living beings to human customs and traditions, as well as cultural-artistic and moral-religious education. At the same time, reading creates an imaginative spectacle that engages and moves the child emotionally. In order to be both appealing and accessible to young learners, poetry must correspond to their age-specific characteristics. The importance of poetry in the intellectual and aesthetic formation of students is emphasized by the literary critic George Călinescu, who highlights the essential role of literature in education. In his fundamental work, The History of Romanian Literature from Its Origins to the Present, he asserts that “literature is a mirror of life” (1982, p. 5), thereby underscoring the capacity of literary works to reflect reality and to contribute to its understanding. Within this framework, the study of poetry in educational practice becomes essential, as it fosters students’ artistic sensitivity, cultivates imagination, and facilitates a deeper understanding of the world through expressive language.