Bringing Irish to the pre-school generation in Longford
August 15, 2016
Longford’s first Irish language pre-school will open this September in Granard.
Mullahoran native, Anna Lynch and her colleague Elaine Woods have combined the Naíonra and Montessori methods of teaching, to bring the new interactive learning for children through Irish.
The new childcare facility – Naíonra Lámh Beag Montessori & Childcare – will hold an open day on August 21 next and actually it is the first of its kind in the region.
Catering for 3-5 years olds, the facility, which will be based at Higginstown, Granard will allow children to become fully immersed in Irish.
“They will be taught through stories and poems and interactive games,” Ms Lynch told the Leader last week.
“Through sensory play and fun, the children will learn the language without even realising they are doing so.”
Anna and Elaine have worked together for the last 10 years.
“It has always been our dream to this,” a delighted Ms Lynch added, adding that she had attended a number of workshops in Dublin run in association with Gaelscoileanna Teo which was founded in 1973 as a national, voluntary organisation supporting the development of Irish-medium schools at primary and at post-primary level.
“Our method of teaching will be very much based around sensory play and storytelling,” explained Ms Lynch.
She added that engaging children in the Irish language early in life was very important.
“If you instill the love of Irish in a child, then they will grow up with the grá for it!,” she added. “It is our national language and its revival is definitely happening.”
Lámh Beag’s Family Fun and Open Day takes place on August 21 from 8.30am to 6pm at St Mary’s GAA, Higginstown. For more details contact Anna 086-0838210 or Elaine at 086-8468027.
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