Dairáine Mulvihill gives an insight into how and why naíonraí work for those who are interested in bringing up their child with more than one language.
For most parents, choosing the right preschool for their child can seem like a daunting task. You want to give your child the best possible start, and the developmental and social skills they learn in preschool are well documented.
The ECCE scheme now provides 2 years free preschool education and increasingly, the Naíonra is becoming a popular option for parents to choose. There are now over 180 Naíonraí in Ireland outside of Gaeltacht areas, and over 200 services within the Gaeltacht including preschool and childminding facilities trí mheán na Gaeilge. With more children around the country now attending Gaelscoileanna, it makes sense that many parents are wanting to start their child's engagement with the Irish language and culture as early as possible.
A Naíonra uses the "Immersion" model of language development, which allows the child to hear and engage with Irish in a very natural and engaging way. They listen to what is being said around them, and gradually the understanding grows.
"Bíonn na páistí ag foghlaim go spraoúil i ngan fhios dóibh féin. Piocann siad suas an Ghaeilge go nádúrtha agus tá an timpeallach cairdiúil agus taitneamhach. Tá na páistí faoi chúram foireann cáilithe cumasach le hard-chaighdeán labhairt na Gaeilge." Lorraine Byrne, An Teach Spraoi Naíonra Athenry.
As a small child, I attended a Naíonra myself, and I had no doubt that I would send my own daughter to a Naíonra when the time came last year. However, the decision is not so clear cut for many parents, and some worry that their own lack of Gaeilge will be a problem. The general advice seems to be that if you are enthusiastic yourself and enjoy the journey of exploring new words together, there will be no problem at all:
"Toisc an Ghaeilge bheith á úsaid sa bhaile ag na leanaí ina gcuid súgradh múscalaíonn sé suim sna tuismitheoirí feabhas a chur ar a gcuid Gaeilge féin chun cabhrú leis na leanaí." Marie Loughnane, Naíonra Bruach na hAbhann, Ashbourne
"Cuirtear na tuismitheoirí ar an eolas faoi ranganna a bhíonn ar fail agus deintear gach iarracht cúpla focal a labhairt leis na tuismitheoirí nuair a thagann said an naíonra leis na leanaí." Bríd Criomhthain, Naíonra Bhréanainn
Clare Spáinneach from Gaeloideachas.ie reassures that children from all backgrounds and cultures are welcomed into Irish schools and Naíonraí. The teachers will speak Irish only from the first day and will use body language, pictures and tone of voice to make sure that the child understands them. The children can talk and answer in the language they use at home, but gradually they will start to answer in Irish and will develop their understanding of the language from there.
"Glaoitear an luath-thumoideachas iomlán ar an modh seo agus baintear leas as ar fud an domhain." Clare Spáinneach, Gaeloideachas
So if there is a Naíonra in your local area, and you are considering sending your child, what could the possible benefits be?
According to earlychildhoodireland.ie, the benefits of bilingual education are many:
- A higher competency level is achievable in both languages for students undertaking bilingual education. This enables wider communication throughout regional and cultural groups.
- Broader exposure to and appreciation of the value of various cultures, deeper multi-culturalism, greater tolerance.
- Biliteracy (the ability to read and write two languages)
- Greater academic success.
- Cognitive benefits
- Raised self-esteem & more secure identity.
- Economic advantages (employment).
Free play and exploration are an important part of the Naíonra curriculum. The children will also engage in learning songs, rhymes and hearing stories as Gaeilge. In terms of preparing them at home the most important thing is to show your child that you have respect for the language and start to use your cúpla focail. Using simple everyday words is best and repetition is key. Whether you decide to send your child to a Naíonra or not, it is helpful for them to hear words as Gaeilge, so ná bígí ag feitheamh – bain usáid as an dteanga!
Go n-éirí libh!
Tá tuilleadh eolais ar fáil ar ár suíomh: https://gaeloideachas.ie/starting-in-the-naionra/
