Austin’s Opposites Poem– A Playground Poem About Learning Through Play
- Deborah Ann Martin
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
Learning Through Laughter and Movement
In today’s My Poetry Corner, I’m sharing a poem close to my heart and close to home.
Austin’s Opposites was inspired by my son Austin when he was little. Like many kids, he learned best when he was moving, climbing, running, and laughing. The playground was his classroom… and opposites were everywhere.
Up and down. Wet and dry. In and out. It wasn’t just a poem — it was real life, full of discovery.
This poem celebrates hands-on learning and the fun of exploring language through play. It’s perfect for early readers, young learners, or any adult who’s ever watched a child connect the dots while smiling ear to ear.
Austin’s Opposites
Austin's mommy took him out to play.
He had the opposite kind of day.
In the beginning, he went to the playground.
At the end of his day, he had to lie down.
Austin climbed up the slide.
Then he slid down the slide.
He played on the small chin-up bar.
He played on the tall chin-up bar.
He went up on the see-saw.
He went down on the see-saw.
Austin was near his mommy on the merry-go-round.
Austin was far from his mommy on the merry-go-round.
He went over to the jungle gym.
He went under the jungle gym.
In the sandbox, he filled his bucket.
In the sandbox, he emptied his bucket.
He walked on the short balance bar.
He walked on the long balance bar.
He came to the front of the swing.
He went to the back on the swing.
Austin was happy playing.
Then Austin became sad.
He was dry, but it began to rain.
Now, he was wet.
His mommy said he could no longer be out.
Now he had to go in.
From Kid Moments: Poems for Early Readers
Part of the Life Moments Series
© 2025 Deborah Ann Martin. All rights reserved.
Reflection on My Austin’s Opposites Poem
Austins Opposites poem brings me right back to those days on the playground with my kids. They didn’t sit still long enough to read a flashcard but they could show you “up and down” on the slide in an instant.
When Austin was learning about opposites, everything clicked when he was in motion.
I think kids often learn best that way, through doing, exploring, and laughing. And maybe adults do too. Maybe we all need reminders that life is full of contrasts — happy and sad, in and out, dry and wet — and that’s what makes it real.
This poem makes opposites fun and easy to understand, not just because of the words, but because of the playful way it teaches them. Children can visualize this poem because they lived through it.
The Style Behind the Words
Poetry Style Name: Narrative Rhyming Poem for Children
Structure and Form: 26 lines in couplets (many showing direct opposites, because poet purposely breaks patterns)
Meter: Gentle, natural rhythm — ideal for early readers
Rhyme and Rhyme Scheme: AABB with some varied pairs (poet likes to break patterns)
Sound and Rhythm: Steady, playful, instructional, without feeling like a lesson
Poetic Devices:
Contrast: Strong use of opposites (happy/sad, up/down, wet/dry)
Repetition: Reinforces learning through patterned phrases
Imagery: Describes real play activities that children can visualize
Tone: Cheerful, warm, and relatable
Theme: Learning through play, parent-child bonding, language development
Explore More Kid Moments
If Austin’s Opposites made you smile, check out Kid Moments: Poems for Early Readers.
It’s full of joyful poems designed to spark connection, giggles, and learning — from everyday moments to playful surprises.
About the Life Moments Series
My Life Moments Series celebrates the real moments that shape our lives — love, heartache, laughter, and growth.
Discover Loving Moments, Love and Heartache Moments, and Kid Moments — collections filled with poems written from the heart, for every stage of life.
References
Kid Moments: Poems for Early Readers. Deborah Ann Martin, 2025.
Deborah Ann Martin Amazon Author Central Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/deborahamartin
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