If you looked in my scrapbook from college, you’d find a ticket stub to the Globe Theater in London with the words “the best 5 quid I spent.” That’s how magical the experience was. I knew that I wanted to introduce Shakespeare to my kids.
But…. let me say that I’m of the opinion that you don’t HAVE to read Shakespeare, and you don’t HAVE to start during the early years. I didn’t read Shakespeare plays until high school.
If you’re trying to read Shakespeare with your child and they are not enjoying it, I suggest waiting until they are older.
Why read Shakespeare?
One reason, for us, is that there are so many references to Shakespeare’s quotations and stories in culture.
“Will’s Words: How William Shakespeare Changed the Way You Talk” is an interesting picture book about all of Shakespeare’s famous phrases that are commonly used in our English language.
How to introduce Shakespeare
“Tales from Shakespeare”
I used this book to introduce Shakespeare to my kids starting age 6. These are adaptations by Charles and Mary Lamb with language quite similar to Shakespeare’s. You know, that type of language where one sentence lasts for a whole paragraph.
I draw story maps as we go, by writing the names of people and lines to connect family members and people who get married. I cross out the names if they die in the play. And if the character assumes a false identity, that gets written in parentheses.
I know some people who make popsicle stick representations, or paint peg dolls before they begin. These visuals help their kids keep track of the story and can also help with narration.
Introduce Shakespeare Plays with editions by Folger Shakespeare Library
I buy multiple copies of the play on Bookoutlet.com, which, frankly, is often cheaper than I can find at used bookstores. They carry the Folger Shakespeare Library editions with clear and uncrowded print on nice paper. Definitions and explanations are on the left side and the play is on the right.
Don’t want to end up with more than one copy of each play? See if your library carries a clear edition of the play!
I started reading actual Shakespeare plays with my oldest twins when they were in 4th grade. They always want me to reread the Lamb’s retelling before we dive into the play.
We share 2 or 3 copies of each story and read them aloud. We set aside about 10 to 20 minutes once a week to read the plays. Sometimes we each choose characters to read. Sometimes, we just go in a circle, regardless of who is reading which character.
More tips
Take Your Time
It bears repeating: If you’re trying to read Shakespeare with your child and they are not enjoying it, I suggest waiting until they are older.
Unless you are reading with other people, don’t give in to any pressure to finish one play in one term. We absolutely do not finish one in 12 weeks.
Choose the plays together
I like to give my kids a choice wherever I can. We decide on which play to read together. The very first play we read was A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a good entry play.
So far, my kids have only wanted the comedies. These are the ones we have read:
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Much Ado About Nothing
- Twelfth Night
- The Merchant of Venice
- Taming of the Shrew
Make it fun
Look for a local production at a theater or in a park. Many places have “Shakespeare in the Park” type of performances in the summers. I was able to bring mine to an outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream after we read the play. Definitely make sure it’s a family friendly production and appropriate for children. Even though the production we attended said it was, I felt it was borderline inappropriate in several places.
There are family-friendly DVDs that you can watch. I have not had much success with finding any that holds the attention of my children, but yours may be interested!