Irish language Workshops for the Early Childhood sector

Title of Workshops: How to Have Fun and Enjoy Irish with Young Children

Location: Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath 

Timeframe: September 2011 – June 2012

In the past ten years early exposure to linguistic learning has conclusively been shown to have many previously unsuspected intellectual and social developmental benefits associated with it.

Traditionally, Music and Movement has been used as an essential tool in the introduction of a second language. The HighScope Educate through Movement Programme is eminently suited for this purpose. Having fun, playing and moving to music also nurtures emotional and physical development and builds meaningful bonds between children and practitioners.

In collaboration with Aine O Shuilleabhain, BCCN proposes to present workshops for Early Childhood Practitioners and Child-minders in  a fun way by  introducing  simple Irish rhymes into the daily routine. The workshops are intended to assist practitioners in introducing simple Irish rhymes and songs naturally and informally throughout the session. Parents can of course use the same system in the home.  

These workshops, reflect the latest scientific research best summarised by Ronald Kotulak (author of Inside the Brain): “We didn't know that spoken language is such a powerful brain builder.  We didn't know that the number of words an infant hears each day dramatically boosts his or her intelligence, social graces, and scholastic achievements.  We didn't know that the lack of words can stunt the brain.  We didn't know that the words have to come from a parent or other caregiver who talks with love and meaning in his or her voice, and not from television or radio.  We didn't know how fast language is imprinted in the newly forming brain: that infants learn the sounds of their native language by the age of six months, and that they attach meaning to words by age one……. This is also the time when kids can learn a second language as easily as their native language, if they are exposed to it.   And we didn't know that music is nature's version of a free lunch because it exercises the same neural networks we use for learning and memory, making it easier to become smarter”

Depending on interest expressed in these work shops it may then be possible to run a five week course for all interested Providers and Parents.   

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