Can you introduce young children to Shakespeare?
Shakespeare had a tremendous influence on the English language. Some common phrases we still use today come from Shakespearean plays. Between the ages of preschool through 1st grade we want to encourage creativity, inspire a curiosity, feed a sense of wonder, and spark an imagination. We are not concerned with memorizing sonnets, historical dates and quotes. We want to give an experience using classic works of literature not a course on the subject. Shakespeare is an excellent tool to introduce your child to a classic literature. Your child will be given a rich sense of language. In addition, since Shakespeare wrote plays it becomes a hands on activity. Through Shakespeare you can introduce your preschooler to the Elizabethan history. You can break down Shakespeare as easily as you can any other book or classic work for a young child. Simply find the right resources, use hands on activities, and make it fun. Children should be constantly striving and challenged to understand the world around them not spoon fed material that comes down to their level. As educators we are going in the wrong direction. Students strive upwards as we provide bite sized portions easily digested yet nourishing to their emerging growth. I do suggest reading the plays in a child friendly format. You can then slowly introduce over a course of time and through their education the words of Shakespeare. Being exposed to the story in a child friendly way will help them understand the language of Shakespeare when the time comes to read the plays in the future.
Tip: If you have other children the plan and resources work beautifully for a multi-age study or a lesson in how to include your young child in your current study with an older child.