“To know Shakespeare provides a head start in life”- Ken Ludwig
Why teach my child Shakespeare?
My kids and I attended a couple of years ago a Shakespeare play of “Much Ado about Nothing.” The director informed us before the play started that it would take about 15 minutes of listening to Shakespeare and then we would start to understand the story in its entirety. I thought the director might be a bit crazy. I had not grown up learning Shakespeare or honestly have a desire to make it part of my life. The director of that play ended up being completely correct. Within about 15 minutes, I was understanding the play and getting the humor. It ended up being a delightful experience for me and my kids.
I started to research the benefits of learning Shakespeare and so my adventure begin with my kids and Shakespeare. They weren’t crazy about the idea at first but I continued to teach little bits here and there. I also exposed them to different plays and discussed the meanings of the language and story plot. They started to enjoy it and in fact, my daughter started loving Shakespeare so much that she wanted to read the plays for herself.
Shakespeare increases your child’s vocabulary and comprehension levels in their education. Shakespeare also was a great influence in many authors that we see everyday. He was a great influence in Jane Austen’s writing and also Charles Dickens. We can see the writings of Jane Austen reflected in today’s books and movies. When we introduce beautiful language into our kids education, it does indeed give them a head start in the literature world. I would also hope, at least with my kids, that it helped them desire to read more beautiful language therefore helping their taste in books contine to grow and gain depth.
But how do I teach Shakespeare, you might ask?
My Favorite Resources for entering the World of Shakespeare-
1. “How to Teach your Children Shakespeare” by Ken Ludwig
This is an amazing book to start with. If you just want to invest in one book to start your journey with your kids and Shakespeare. Let this book be the one. Ken Ludwig helps your kids develop a love of Shakespeare by having them memorize certain passages out of Shakespeare Plays. He then explains phrase by phrase what each of these lines mean in the context of the play. This helps the parents like me, who are not an expert in Shakespeare, easily teach our kids Shakespeare.
2. “Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare” by Edith Nesbit
(Found at Amazon)
These are lovely, understandable stories of Shakespeare’s plays. I would read one of these stories before we read the actual play so my kids would have background knowledge. Its important to build background knowledge before embarking into the play so that the kids have some frame of reference.
3. Shakespeare In Three Steps by Rebekah Shafer
(Found at SimplyCharlotteMason.com)
This is my latest find of Shakespeare that I love. These are the actual Shakespeare Plays for you and your kids to enjoy. We are studying Twelth Night right now. When you purchase “Shakespeare in Three Steps”, you get a book of a Shakespeare Play of your choice and the Audio of the entire play told with multiple actors voices. At the beginning of each is book is the synopsis of the play to help your kids build background knowledge before they listen to the play. The Audio is very well done! This is a simple way to enjoy Shakespeare with your kids.
4. Shakespeare 16 Books Story Collection by Tony Ross
(Found at Amazon or Costco)
These books are a delight for your younger reader. They feature 16 of Shakespeare’s plays in storyform. Even my teens will read one of these to gain background knowledge on a play.
5. The Bard of Avon by Diane Stanely
(Found at Amazon)
This is a children’s biography of William Shakespeare and his life.
6. Poetry for Young People- William Shakespeare by David Scott Kasten and Marina Kasten
(Found at Amazon)
This is exactly what is sounds like, a selection of poetry written by William Shakespeare
7. “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare (Folger Shakespeare Library)
(Found at Amazon)
I buy these versions of the Shakespeare Plays for my teens to read. We own four of them so far.
“Twelfth Night”, “Julius Ceaser”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Much Ado about Nothing”
Shakespeare is a journey worth taking! Even if you just do a little bit to introduce your kids to William Shakespeare, it will enhance their literature study.
What is your favorite Shakespeare Resource?
Living the Adventure 