Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Michael Farris: Today I’d like to welcome Deborah Taylor-Hough, editor of Bright Kids email newsletter. Debi, you decided to introduce your children to Shakespeare, whom you affectionately refer to as “the big bad bard.” What prompted you to include this in your curriculum when your kids were so young?

Deborah Taylor-Hough:
Well, my kids were young at the time. They were just 11, 7, and 3. And ever since I attended a Shakespearean festival in high school, I’ve really enjoyed Shakespeare myself. I just find his plays so entertaining, and I wanted to share that love with my kids. I didn’t want them thinking Shakespeare was scary or difficult or something only an English lit major could comprehend.

Mike:
How did you first introduce Shakespeare to your children?

Deborah:
Well, a friend of mine and I thought it would be fun to take our kids to the Oregon Shakespearean Festival in Ashland, but I knew that if we were going to do that we were going to have to prepare our kids ahead of time so they’d be ready for the experience.

Mike:
So how did the kids respond?

Deborah:
Oh, they loved everything about it—even my 7-year-old son who didn’t actually go on the Ashland trip with us. He enjoyed watching the videotape of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Mike:
Debi, thanks so much. Tomorrow we’ll continue our discussion on incorporating Shakespeare into your homeschool. I’m Mike Farris.