I suddenly realized I had an opinion (and a strong one at that) about a topic that I never even contemplated before.
So I pose the question to you.
Do you think Shakespeare is appropriate for 6+ year olds?
If yes, why?
If not, when is it?
*This is a repost, but I think I have about seven more readers now then I did two years ago, so I cant wait to hear some new opinions! I will be posting my opinion on it tomorrow.
Mostly, no. Some of his stuff is down right dirty.
But then again, I memorized my first Shakespear at age 7. That’s the product of a one room schoolhouse for you.
I think that some of it is okay for 6+ years old. I would totally use some of his works for my daughter (who is 6). However, for example, I would help her to summarize without telling her ALL the details. I would just help her understand the story. Then as she gets older, she can begin to understand more of the language for herself.
Does that make sense?
I think you should start Shakespeare as early as you can! I certainly wouldn’t teach EVERYTHING Shakespeare- not even to high schoolers, but I think there is enough benefit that it should start early. I love PW’s post she did on Shakespeare for Punks, and I plan on collecting the curriculum asap.
I have to go with Leslie. I would (and have a little bit, a very little bit..) with my 7 and 5 year old. We recently watched some of Romeo and Juliet with them and explained away. It is much like scripture, where you teach what they are capable of understanding, leaving out that which they cannot quite grasp yet, and helping them with the different language (because it does sound foreign to a newbie). There is content that I choose to leave out, but they will be taught more as they get older (much like the scriptures) and they usually figure it out too. Our elementary put on a production of Shakespeare with the sixth graders every year, with specialists in tow to teach them just what they are performing. I am wondering how they will fare with Macbeth this year. :O
That makes sense Mindy!
You are going to have to check out my response tomorrow… you are
going to either never read my blog again or tell me where to stick it!
*fingers crossed its neither*
Be blessed sweet girl-
Amanda
7th grade and up- I think that they need some exposure in an environment that that has a Christian worldview before they go of to college and have to deal with it then. Much of the content of the plays are things that have been described in the Bible. This gives an opportunity to use reason and comparison. I haven’t forced either of my kids that age to read it. My son was interested in Macbeth and we went over that. The next one (a girl) wants to read Romeo and Juliet next year. So we will be doing it then. IMHO better to expose them to sensitve issues under the authority of the parent, you have less “unlearning” to teach that way!
Um, well, ah, {{crickets}}…I have a 1 and 3 year old and I haven’t read Shakespeare since, well, I have no idea…
Maybe little snippits that are appropriate??? I mean, you’re asking the question, so it’s obviously something you’re contemplating, so I’m guessing you’ll find a way to “child proof” it?
Well…coming from a 4th grade teacher-turned stay at home mama, I think there are many aspects of Shakespeare that you could share with a group of 6 year olds, maybe talk about his writing style and make one of his stories into a “kid-friendly” version. We take away multiple ideas from Shakespeare, those could definitely be shared.
I think middle school is plenty old enough for Shakespeare, myself. I didn’t learn it until high school, and didn’t enjoy it much then, to be honest. But that’s just me. I think the subject matter is a bit mature for my 7 yr old. Have a great day
I think it depends on the child, which of Shakespeare’s works you were going for and whether you used abridged versions or not. A lot of it is very powerful but my son loved some of the watered down versions at 7-8, the witches in Macbeth and the silliness of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Hi Amanda! I regularly read your blog and have never commented. I love reading your blog because of your great sense of humor and amazing talent (which I’m in awe of mainly because I cannot do a THING in the kitchen but I certainly can appreciate amazing work)! That being said, I’m fairly certain this will not be the popular answer but nevertheless, I was compelled to provide it.
If I may, I ask – why? Why feel it necessary to share Shakespeare with a child so young? Let them be children. Let them be children and read children’s books. He will be no less of an amazing child if he is allowed to be a 6 year old boy who reads books meant for 6 year olds rather than a child prodigy who reads Shakespeare…let children be children. Let them have fun! Shakespeare is NOT fun – particularly when you are six!
…and I will of course keep coming back to your blog for more because even if we don’t agree (which is quite possible), I’m still intrigued and I think you’re great! And amazingly talented! :0)
OK. I am definitely in the tiny minority here but I am not a Shakespeare fan. Some of his stuff is OK. But I don’t think he was the best thing ever. So, sure, teach some sonnets or something. But, I am not sure why we don’t cover a wider variety in our curriculum anyway.
I adore Shakespeare but I’m in agreement with some of the commenters above – snippets here and there would be ok IMO.
Shakespeare is not children’s literature. It is written for mature-er audiences.
There is so much fantastic children’s lit available, and there is no way you can ever get through it before your child is all grown up. I see no reason to rush Shakespeare.
My daughter was 12 before she knew anything about Shakespeare; she took a (homeschool) class with the climax being a full scale production of 12th Night. Usborne has a couple of great books that gave her a clean idea of the plots and conflicts of Shakespeares major plays.
Parental wisdom should dictate the age appropriateness of exposure, be it Shakespeare, movies, books, and yes, even the Bible.
I think parts of Shakespeare could be read aloud to learn about language, rhythm and such, but that it should be done with a lot of care as to the content and teaching purpose.
I taught my first graders Shakespeare this year and they LOVED it! We also read Beowulf (both were children’s versions). The curriculum we used was called Jr. Great Books for our reading, focusing on classical tales and literature with an emphasis on literary discussion, and I supplemented that curriculum with the Beowulf and Hamlet. You can check our Shakespeare for Kids by Lois Burnett- she is awesome! Here is a sample:
http://www.amazon.com/Midsummer-Nights-Dream-Kids-Shakespeare/dp/1552091244/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268953871&sr=8-2
I’ve never been into Shakespeare and hated it in high school (no offense to those who love it). But I really have not thought of it beyond not liking it in high school, so I guess at the moment I really have no opinion. Maybe after I’ve had a chance to think about it….
Well, lucky for you (or not!) I have an entire post I created on the subject titled “Teaching Shakespeare to Your Children, A Fruitful and Possible Endeavor.”
Cause I think you’re great!
Here you go:
http://www.mommytopics.com/parenting/teaching-shakespeare-to-children-a-fruitful-and-possible-endeavor
Blessings Friend
And… we’ll still be friends if you see it another way.
Yep, I sound like a broken record with most of the comments here…but I, too, agree that it can be done here and there, but not in whole. And I wouldn’t continue it if the child wasn’t interested at all!
I just don’t think there is a way to make it interesting for a 6 year old. I read some of it in high school and hated it. Even now I only appreciate a few of his works.
Interesting question! As with so many things I think there are some parts that are appropriate for children and LOTS that isn’t until they are older. Shakespeare wrote his plays for a largely adult audience and therefore much of the content is bawdy and utterly inappropriate for children.
That said, he also wrote some of the most lyrical and beautiful verses that have endured for centuries and I see no harm in sharing that with children.
HOWEVER the language and its nuances are complex and often require detailed explanation to children. My eldest son is struggling with his literacy skills anyway so Shakespeare for us at least is off the menu for the forseeable future.
I look forward to reading your post!
Some of his work would be great to tweak the imagination of a six year old! (some of his stuff…of course not!)
However, as you well know, reading to the little ones is extremely important and beneficial.
I guess I don’t think it necessary at that age…but I haven’t read his stuff in a long time. You know the context you would be teaching it in or reading it in…It is good for them to know who he is but maybe not read his material.
I guess I don’t think it necessary at that age…but I haven’t read his stuff in a long time. You know the context you would be teaching it in or reading it in…It is good for them to know who he is but maybe not read his material.
I guess I don’t think it necessary at that age…but I haven’t read his stuff in a long time. You know the context you would be teaching it in or reading it in…It is good for them to know who he is but maybe not read his material.
I’m having trouble thinking of a work of Shakespeare that would be appropriate for a 6-year-old. I think most of them have subject matter that is not suitable – suicide, murder, adultry, etc.
My opinion isn’t completely settled and has changed over time. It’s been awhile since my daughter was that age. I think I would err on the side of caution, appropriateness and praying about it. Children are different.
I do like poetry. I do like Shakes. I’m older and have keener discernment. Now that my daughter’s older we’ve read through some of his works. In a way, it’s more to know who he was and to have an idea of what he wrote and what impact that had on history. We do that with a lot of historical figures (secular & Christian) but not every one. Sometimes it depends on what comes up as we go about life too. I am very intrigued by what your response will be!
I think it is funny that this question is arising in my path now. My daughter, who is 13 is doing a Shakespeare play on Romeo and Juliet this weekend. It is called the Suessification of Romeo and Juliet, done as if it were written by Dr. Suess. This is the first introduction that she has had with Shakespeare at all. She loves doing the play but she herself thinks that some of what she is learning about him and his writing is not appropriate for even her age.
I don’t think my comment went through.
don’t know about Shakespear, but i read Hansel and Gretel to my daughter tonight… yeah, totally NOT appropriate. Evil witches EATING little boys is not meant for toddlers!
No, not really. Shakespeare is bawdy. You could teach about who Shakespeare was, to begin to prepare them; you could read some of the sonnets aloud or even some lines from some plays to teach poetic rhythm and symbolism and other literary devices; you could re-tell some of the stories. But Shakespeare was not meant to be read by young children. I began reading Shakespeare when I was 12 (some of the comedies), then the tragedies when I was a teen.