What is figurative language for kids

This is why simile, personification, and symbolism are great starting points for teaching figurative language to kids. Kids are exposed to poetry before they start to learn. Poetry is also memorable which means the learned stuff about figurative language will also be remembered if associated with their beloved rhymes. Shakespeare is probably the best author from which children can learn figurative language.

He uses a lot, if not all the types of figurative language in his work. Using resources specially designed to help kids excel the figurative language is the smart way to go, especially in the beginning. Moreover, for each type of figurative language and literary device, we have additional worksheet bundles that you can find in our ELA section.

This fact will also increase their motivation and provoke them to think about a familiar thing in a different way. Finally, once kids overcome the first milestone in learning a figurative language, recognizing different types of figurative language, is time to master their second milestone — using the figurative language when communicating.

This can be done through creative writing on different topics. Children should learn how figurative language can enrich their dialog and allow them to better express their emotions by writing on topics that are in their interest. In terms of when , we provided evidence concerning the best age to start teaching figurative language for kids. Finally, we incorporated some tips and a lot of teaching resources on how to teach figurative language for kids.

You can find more help on this topic, and many other educational topics, by simply browning through our massive collection of worksheets and other teaching resources. You can also check out our blog , where we regularly share insightful articles like this one right here. If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source. KidsKonnect is a growing library of high-quality, printable worksheets for teachers and homeschoolers.

Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to footer. What Is Figurative Language? Simile Simile is a type of figurative language that we use to directly compare two things.

Follow the link to find more information and examples about simile. Alliteration Alliteration is yet another figure of speech that would be easy for kids to recognize. Examples of alliteration: Even elephants enjoy eating eggs every day. She sells sea-shells on the seashore. Hyperbole Hyperbole, like the name suggests, is a figurative language that we use when we want to exaggerate something to make a point. Metaphor We left metaphor for last, although probably the most widely used, given that it can be a bit tricky for kids to understand since the comparison between words is implicitly made, unlike with simile.

You are my sunshine. View all science worksheets. View all animal worksheets. View all Addition Worksheets. View all Numbers Worksheets. View all Money Worksheets. Click the button below to get instant access to these worksheets for use in the classroom or at a home. This download is exclusively for KidsKonnect Premium members! To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup it only takes a minute and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!

Sign Me Up. Editing resources is available exclusively for KidsKonnect Premium members. To edit this worksheet, click the button below to signup it only takes a minute and you'll be brought right back to this page to start editing! Sign Up. This worksheet can be edited by Premium members using the free Google Slides online software. Click the Edit button above to get started. This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!

To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free it only takes a minute and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download! In writing, symbolism occurs when a word has its own meaning but represents something entirely different. Explore a few everyday and literary examples of symbolism. Bronte uses the imagery of the natural world to symbolize the wild nature and deep feelings of her characters. You see assonance used a lot in poetry.

It's where vowel sounds are repeated. When it was first introduced, it might have been a marvel idea, but after time, it becomes cliche. Cliches are found through movies and pop culture. You can find idioms in all languages. These old sayings have woven their way into the fabric of the language and have a different meaning beyond their literal meaning. Have you ever used the word pen to mean writing? This is an example of a metonymy. It's when a word becomes linked with another to the point where it can stand for that word.

And then, there is synecdoche. While this might sound like a weird word, the concept is pretty simple. A synecdoche is when part of something is used to mean the whole thing. Brands often become a synecdoche. Alliteration is a fun sound device. It is the repetition of the first consonant sounds in several words. Onomatopoeia is also a sound device where the words sound like their meaning or mimic sounds.

They add a level of fun and reality to writing. Now that you have a bit of an understanding of the different types of figurative language, you can use this printable to keep them handy when writing.

Regardless of the type of word you use, figurative language can make you look at the world differently; it can heighten your senses, add expression and emphasis, and help you feel like you have the same experience as the author. With each brushstroke across the canvas, a painter adds depth to their masterpiece.

Figurative language adds the same kind of depth to our writing. So, instead of hearing the wind blow against your window tonight, perhaps you'll hear the whisper of the wind as it calls out for you like a lover in the night personification and simile, respectively. That blank page you're looking at is actually a blank canvas. It's up to you to add texture and depth. Have fun layering your literary devices, but remember not to go overboard with them!

When you're done, explore the difference between literally and figuratively to ensure you've used figurative language correctly. All rights reserved. Understanding the Concept of Figurative Language Any time your writing goes beyond the actual meanings of your words, you're using figurative language.

Simile : Mary Had a Little Lamb states that "her fleece was white as snow," using simile to describe the animal's coat. Understatement : Imagining by Shel Silverstein makes use of this literary device. Older children may find Robert Frost's Fire and Ice worthy of discussion, as Frost uses understatement in the final line of the poem.

Recognition Activities It is important for children to begin to recognize figurative language within everyday speech and within the context of a written work. Puzzle Match Use the Definitions and Examples printable above to create a figurative language puzzle. Figurative Language Hullabaloo The game known as Hullabaloo by Cranium invites kids to get active with a device that calls out hints and urges children to jump to "pads" which are spread in a room.

I Spy The children's game of I Spy is fun and challenging and can be played almost anywhere. Make It a Game Pick one literary device each day and try to integrate it into your conversations as a teaching strategy. Turn It Into Art Take a poem which utilizes a literary device, such as personification, and ask your child to draw two pictures, one which illustrates the literal and one which shows the figurative meaning of the same poem.

Strategies for Reinforcement and Further Learning Once your child recognizes figurative language, it is time to weave it into his or her writing as a way of reinforcing this new skill. Ideas to Consider To help your kids gain a deeper knowledge, try these fun teaching strategies.

Have your child take a common rhyme or popular poem and rewrite it, removing any instances of figurative language. You may end up with some silly poems, but your student will come away from this exercise understanding the importance of this literary device. Take a non-poetic piece of writing and ask your child to re-write it with the addition of figurative language. He may recreate directions to a recipe, an article in the newspaper, the Preamble to the Constitution, or anything else that lacks even the hint of a simile, metaphor, or hyperbole.

Encourage your child to reach beyond overused similes and be creative. Why say "white as snow" when you can say "white as a newly-bleached shirt"? Another fun project may be taking an ordinary, everyday object, such as shampoo or salad dressing, and creating a print advertisement that makes use of figures of speech. Additional Resources There are a number of additional resources for figurative language activities and exercises, including: GameAquarium.

You can tell which ones have been the most popular with users because of the star-based rating system, as well as rate any that you decide to use for the benefit of others.

The list features worksheet titles along with specific grade level information, making it easy to narrow your search to documents most likely to meet your child's needs. Anyone can download these worksheets at no cost; if you have a fee-based premium membership , you can actually make assignmetns directly to students through the website. There are also a few PowerPoint presentations on this site. All resources are available at no cost. Common Problems In addition to teaching your child what metaphors are and how to use them, it's also important to help him avoid developing problematic usage patterns.

Overuse As your child becomes more familiar with figures of speech, he will begin to utilize them in many different forms of writing. Misuse Additionally, teach your student about the misuse of words, such as with mixed metaphors.

Now What? Simile Poems for Kids. Alliteration Poems by Shel Silverstein.