Joe Ó Ceallaigh writes about the 'My Little Library Book Bag' initiative a collaboration between libraries, the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of the First 5 Strategy.
Did you know that reading can help reduce stress, make us more empathetic and even improve our memory function? Add lifelong learning to the list of benefits and it makes sense that children 'catch the reading bug' as early as possible so that it becomes a part of their daily routine.
In order to encourage families to make reading a part of their lives, the ‘My Little Library Book Bag’ is available free to all children starting primary school this year. Parents and guardians can collect the bag of books from any public library in the country and they’re encouraged to join the library when they visit. Irish and English Language book bags are available.
Tá na leabhair seo ar fáil i mBéarla nó i nGaeilge, fiú mura bhfuil cumas Gaeilge ag an bpáiste go fóill, is fiú go mór an deis a thabhairt do pháistí leabhair Ghaeilge a bheith ina seilbh.
It’s never too young to begin reading as Elaina Ryan the CEO of Children’s Books Ireland explains:
"The Growing Up in Ireland longitudinal study shows us that reading frequency at three years could predict strong reading habits two years later, and this pattern can be mapped throughout childhood, all the way up to the teenage years."
You’re sold then. Off you go to the library to pick up your My Little Library Book Bag. Before you do so, I’d like to ask you to consider choosing the Irish Language books. If you speak Irish at home like me, then that’s probably what you were going to do anyway. However, for the majority of homes where Irish isn’t spoken every day, this could be the perfect opportunity to gift your child not just a love of reading but perhaps set them off on a language learning journey.
As Elaina explains:
"Whether Irish is spoken at home or parents/carers are keen to introduce it, reading excellent Irish language books together is a wonderful opportunity to hear both languages in an engaging and interactive way."
Easier said than done you say if you don’t have the confidence to read aloud in Irish. Last year in Donegal when this initiative took place for the first time, we wanted to encourage more people to choose the Irish books but we knew that many might not feel like they had the skills to read them. With this in mind we created glossaries so that those with a basic level of Irish would feel more confident to read the books. I’m delighted that the glossary is available across the country this year to all those who choose the Irish Language books.
In order to increase accessibility further, readings of the book have been recorded and by simply scanning the QR code on the glossary you can access videos where you can listen to the stories being told by John Sharpson (aka Múinteoir John) and Caoimhe Ní Chathail.
You don’t need a reason to learn Irish. As someone who didn’t grow up in the Gaeltacht or attend a Gaelscoil, learning Irish for me has enriched my imagination and allowed me access to a vibrant and welcoming community that’s as much about celebrating the here and now as it is about a heritage that stretches back thousands of years. However, if you do need a reason, then it must be said that Irish is a keystone of our education system. So why not give your child a head-start so that their first experience of the language will be a positive one that’s linked to stories and reading with their loved ones?
As Dr Róisín Ní Mhulláin from An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta tells us:
"Parent’s positive attitude to both languages will help children see links between English and Irish and children’s learning within the Primary Language Curriculum will provide a rich language experience in both languages. It is so important to read to children, allow children to learn about character and story and to enjoy language learning. Many studies find that bilingualism has many benefits for children; cognitive development, cultural awareness and children are more successful in learning additional languages."
If you’re still not convinced then the last thing I have to say is that these Irish Language books are brilliant! Each story is a celebration of either starting school, making friends or being comfortable to be yourself and in these beautifully illustrated tales you’ll run the risk of being shrunk down to the size of a tiny doll after a wish goes wrong or transported to Mars to hunt for aliens. I bet that didn’t come to mind when you thought of reading a book in Irish!
Just like stories, languages come alive when we share them. Collect your Irish My Little Library Book Bag from your local library and share a story and a language today.
You can watch and listen to the books being read and find out more about the initiative here
The ‘My Little Library Book Bag’ initiative is a collaboration between libraries, the Department of Rural and Community Development, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of the First 5 Strategy.
