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 young children 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.
Shakespeare should only to be taught once a week or the length of a unit study which would be about 4 to 9 weeks. There is no pressure just exploration.
Shakespeare is normally a subject matter for older elementary students. Often the subject matter of Shakespeare is more mature and better appreciated by an older audience. With younger children the human condition of the plays is not emphasized. The emphasis is on rhyme, dramatic play, history, and simple themes. The lessons for younger children will more activity based. We concentrate on dramatic art while using Shakespeare as a backdrop.
Areas to Focus On:
Who was Shakespeare and when did he live?
What is the Globe Theater?
What is a play?
Learning to play a role in a dramatic play with or without a puppet.
What time period did Shakespeare live in and what did people of that time wear?
What was the world like? What do we have today that was not around then?
Create a short play and perform it for your family.