Irish

Gaeilge

Whereas my service is mainly an English speaking one, I do try to get the children used to simple Irish at an early stage in order to 'contribute to the child's appreciation of Irish' (Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta [FNT], 2008).

I have Irish CDs with childrens' songs and Irish story CDs. We listen to those to get the children used to the sound of the Irish language. E.g. I'm using the FNT CDs 'Maidín sa Naíonra' and 'Damhsa na gCoiníní'. I also have some children's books in Irish and Irish/English.

Also we sing little Irish songs or do rhymes at certain times of the day  since the way of teaching Irish recommended by Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta is anecdotal rather than in unrelated bits.

Examples of songs and rhymes I use:

• Fáiltiú ar Maidin (The Morning Greeting): 'Fáilte romhat a... (ainm páiste)' & 'Bainfidh mé diom mo chóta'
  

• When putting on an apron for baking or painting: 'An gcuirfidh tú orm mo naprún?'
  

• Before reading: 'Léifidh mé scéilín deas duit'
  

• Am Lóin (At lunch time): 'Tá tart is ocras orm anois'
  

• Ag ní na lámha (Washing the hands): 'Nigh na lámha' & 'Triomaigh na lámha'
  

• When putting/taking off on our coats - Cuirfidh mé orm mo chóta & Bainfidh mé diom mo chóta
  

• Ag glanadh an tseomra (Cleaning the room): 'Réitimis an seomra'
  

• Am dul abhaile (At going home time): 'Cuirfidh mé orm mo chóta'
  

• Breithlá (Birthday): 'Lá breithe faoi shéan'
  

• Rannta agus Amhráin (Songs and Rhymes): 'Cuimil do bhosa (& Dorn ar dhorn)', 'Istigh sa Zú' & 'Roille, roille, ráinne'.
  

I also have Irish posters up on the walls, and my boxes and presses are labelled in Irish as well as English. When the children ask me about the labels I tell them it is Irish and what it says and means.