RE: (really) little Greeks

Cal Redmond (calred@ix.netcom.com)
Mon, 15 Sep 1997 16:02:00 -0400

Nichael Cramer wrote:
>
> Not exactly on topic, but surely someone in this august group can give me
> some pointers.
>
> Does anyone have any experience with/recomendations for/suggestions about
> teaching Greek to young children?
>
> For some time now, my daughter, Asah (who turns seven on Saturday) has
> been climbing up in lap as I study my flash cards. This is actually a
> useful exercise for both of us; I drill on the Greek and she on the
> English. (Moreover it appears that she has actually picked up a handful
> of the words.)
>
> Recently, however, she has expressed an what appears to be a genuine
> interest in learning more (i.e. she has explicitly asked to do more).
> Thus far this has taken the form of her starting to learn the Greek
> alphabet. But my question is where do I go from here?
>
> Now, I know there are plenty of systems around for teaching --or at least
> exposing-- modern foreign languages (notably French and Spanish) to young
> children (i.e. tapes, semi-bi-lingual kids books, etc.) But I certainly
> know of nothing comparable for Greek. Futhermore, even setting aside the
> fact most of the Greek grammars I know are certainly nothing I'd want to
> inflict on a defenseless six-year-old, how I would actually even approach
> this is not clear to me.
>
> Now, it's very likely this may be a phase, and in a couple of months she
> may have forgotten ever having thought about it. But it's such an
> enchanting idea --and she seems so genuinely interested-- that I can
> hardly say no without even trying.
>
> So, any suggestions?
>
> Thanks
> Nichael
>
> Nichael Cramer
> work: ncramer@bbn.com
> home: nichael@sover.net
> http://www.sover.net/~nichael/

Nichael, I have bookmarked a web page which markets a Greek learning
curriculum purportedly for "ages pre-school and up." THe URL for that
is http://home.earthlink.net/~timohs/andrew.html

I have no experience or first-hand knowledge of this curriculum. I have
considered it for my children, who have expressed a similar desire to
learn Greek.

Sincerely,

Cal Redmond
Ph.D. soon-to-be graduate,
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, KY
calred@ix.netcom.com