Why should a young child read Shakespeare???

I think reading versions of his stories with younger kids (say 7 and up) is a great idea. My kids have loved Lamb’s Tales from Shakespeare. The stories with their twists and turns really captivate them. It gives them a love for Shakespeare which I hope will last. We have also begun Memorizing passages with How to Teach your child Shakespeare. The language is lovely and again will help

Them when they are older to not have such a big hurdle in reading his plays. Also it is just nice to have them hear the English language being used well.

Nebby

http://www.lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com

You probably don’t NEED to read the actual plays with children under 10 or so.  But the stories themselves are a delight–Lamb’s or another story version.  All the children I’ve introduced to these stories love them.  And, in defense of the plays themselves–the language is so very beautiful.  Not every bit of course, but the cadences and sounds and expression are really sublime.  Very, very beautiful.  I did not read the actual plays with my two older ones until they were about 10, but my youngest son “tagged along”, listening, and then reading very short parts (he begged and begged!!!) as soon as he was able, and it’s one of our favorite things to do now.  Everyone looks forward to Shakespeare time, and when we are able to catch a performance, especially a well-done one, the whole family is over the moon.  🙂 I actually firmly believe that no one who scorns and refuses to have anything to do with Shakespeare can ever really have a complete idea of what the English language is capable of and should be.

So what do your Shakespeare studies look like?

One should read Shakespeare for the same reasons one should look at the very best art, listen to the very best music–because it makes us better human beings.  God made us capable of recognizing and loving true beauty, true excellence.  He even gave some of us the ability to create and express this in one way or another.
“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.”  Goethe

I think better than reading Shakespeare might be seeing his plays. My daughter, who is in grade four this year, has been seeing summer theater for a few years now and enjoys it very much. We generally read a short version of the play first, like lamb, so it is a little easier for her to follow. But especially with the comedies, the humour is often performed in quite a broad way which is easy for a young child to enjoy.