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.