You don't have to be an Irish speaker to enjoy Irish with young children

“It would be a waste not to use a child's natural ability to learn during his or her most vital years, when learning a second language is as easy as learning the first”

this was the conclusion of  Ronald Kotulak (author of Inside the Brain) speaking on the issue of second language in the early years. The fact is that until you have tried it, whether as a parent, grandparent or practitioner you will never realise how easily you can introduce Irish rhymes while playing with young children. 'Playing' is the key word here, as the emphasis must be on having fun. The more fun it is the more the children will want to stay with it. Hearing and acquiring new words and rhymes while playing is the best way to be introduced to any new language.  

Young children are naturals when it comes to languages.  They soak up language like a

sponge. Experts agree that the easiest age to acquire a second language is from birth

to six years. Maria Montessori was one of the many educationalists who recognised this fact. Research has established that apart from the linguistic advantages there are, in addition, intellectual and social development benefits attaching to early exposure to linguistic learning. Having fun and moving to music nurtures emotional and physical development. Studies have also shown that children who acquire a second language at an early age have an advantage when they come to learn a third or fourth language.

So how do we do this? Well firstly, you don't have to be an Irish speaker. All you have to do is learn the rhyme. If the only Irish you have is “aon, dó, trí”  or  “slán” don't be afraid to try. The most effective way to introduce Irish to children is to connect a recurring action with a rhyme. For example, the following rhyme is enjoyable for walking to and can be extended to introduce further vocabulary – see below.

Say to the children: “Let’s go walking” – carry out the action first.

Next, to the tune of “The Farmer wants a wife” , sing or recite the following as you walk:

Tá mé ag siúl,                                     I am walking,     

Tá mé ag siúl,                                     I am walking,      

Hé Hó mo Dhaidí ó,                            Hey, Ho my Daddy O,

Tá mé ag siúl.                                     I am walking.

This simple rhyme can be adapted for the following actions:

Tá mé ag léim (I am jumping), Tá mé ag snámh (I am swimming), Tá mé ag rith ( I am running) , Tá mé ag ól (I am drinking), Tá mé ag ithe, (I am eating),Tá mé ag scríobh (I am writing), Tá mé ag gáire (I am laughing), Tá mé ag caoineadh (I am crying) , and so on. 

Young children learn by listening, seeing, imitating, and repetition. So talk to them from the start. Tell them what you are doing.  Don’t spoil the experience by demanding that they repeat the rhyme. It takes most children two years to begin to use their first language but that is not to say that nothing has been happening for those two years.  Listening and understanding are the essential first steps to speaking, so be patient.  And most importantly – have fun!

Áine Ní Dhúlaing

For more information and training workshops contact the BCCN office.