2 3

Fáilte!Tá cearta páistí agus cearta tuismitheoirí agus caomhnóirí páistí, a aithnítear mar nachéad oideachasóirí agus oideachasóirí nádúrtha a gcuid páistí, mar chroílár luachannaan naíonra. Ba mhaith linn gach tacaíocht a léiriú duit agus do do pháiste agus tú agtabhairt faoin aistear seo le chéile. Tá súil againn go bhfreagróidh an leabhrán seo roinntde na ceisteanna a d’fhéadfadh bheith agat maidir le cur chuige an naíonra, oideachaslán-Ghaeilge agus do ról mar thuismitheoir.

Cad is naíonra ann? Is seirbhís luathbhlianta é an naíonra do pháistí idir 3-5 bliana d‘aois, ina ndéantar gachrud trí Ghaeilge faoi chúram múinteora luathbhlianta. Tugtar ‘tumoideachas’ ar an múnlaoideachais seo, agus tá buntáistí ar leith ann don pháiste.

Tá sé mar aidhm ag an naíonra: • forbairt iomlán an pháiste a chothú sna luathbhlianta; • cabhrú le páistí atá á dtógáil le Gaeilge luath-oideachas a fháil ina dteanga féin

agus an teanga sin a shaibhriú; • cabhrú le páistí gan Ghaeilge an teanga a shealbhú go nádúrtha; agus • seirbhís d’ardchaighdeán a chur ar fáil ionas go mbeidh eispéireas slán,

taitneamhach, tairbheach ag an bpáiste i dtimpeallacht chairdiúil, faoi chúramfoirne cáilithe.

Cad is tumoideachas ann?Is modh foghlama é an tumoideachas a chuidíonn le páistí an Ghaeilge a shealbhú gonádúrtha. Ciallaíonn sé gurb í an Ghaeilge an teanga chumarsáide agus spraoi sanaíonra. Ar an gcaoi seo, cothaítear líofacht an pháiste sa Ghaeilge.

An dtuigfidh mo pháiste na múinteoirí naíonra? An rud is tábhachtaí do pháiste ná go dtuigfí iad, is cuma cén teanga atá in úsáid. Másféidir leo a gcuid riachtanas a chur in iúl, ó bhéal nó trí chomharthaíocht choirp, m.sh. “Idon’t want to paint”, “I want to go to the toilet”, tuigfidh an múinteoir luathbhlianta iadagus cuirfear é sin in iúl dóibh.

Tacaíonn an tumoideachas le sealbhú teanga an pháiste trí rannpháirtíocht agus ionsúiomlán; ní fhágtar ar a gconlán féin iad. Cé go labhraíonn na múinteoirí luathbhliantaGaeilge leis na páistí ón gcéad lá ar aghaidh, úsáidtear comharthaíocht choirp, pictiúir,gothaí, agus tuin chainte chun brí a chur in iúl agus cumarsáid a dhéanamh leis na páistí.

Welcome! Children’s rights and the rights of parents and guardians of children, who are recognisedas the first educators and the natural educators of their children, are at the core of thevalues of the naíonra. We would like to show you and your child every support whileyou are undertaking this journey together. We hope that this booklet will answer someof the questions you might have in relation to the naíonra approach, Irish-mediumeducation and your role as a parent.

W hat is a naíonra?The naíonra is an early-years service for 3-5 year-old children, where everything is donethrough Irish under the supervision of an early-years teacher. This education model iscalled ‘immersion education’, and has certain advantages for the child.

The purpose of the naíonra is: • to foster the full development of the child in the early years; • to assist children who are being raised through Irish in receiving early education

in their own language and in enriching that language; • to assist children without Irish in the natural acquisition of the language; and • to provide a high-quality service so that the child will have a safe, enjoyable and

beneficial experience in a friendly environment, under the supervision of qualifiedstaff.

What is immersion education?Immersion education is a learning method which assists children in the naturalacquisition of Irish. It means that the language of communication and play in the naíonrais Irish. In this way, the child’s fluency in Irish is nurtured.

Will my child understand the naíonra teachers? The most important thing for a child is that they are understood, regardless of thelanguage that is being used. If they can convey their needs, verbally or using bodylanguage, e.g. “I don’t want to paint”, “I want to go to the toilet”, the early-years teacherwill understand them and that will be shown to them.

Immersion education supports the child’s language acquisition through completeparticipation and absorption; they are not left to their own devices. Although theearly-years teacher speaks Irish to the children from the first day onwards, bodylanguage, pictures, gestures and intonation are employed to articulate the meaning andto communicate with the children.

Foilsithe ag Gaeloideachas i gcomhar le Na Naíonraí Gaelacha, 2019. Published by Gaeloideachas in collaboration with Na Naíonraí Gaelacha, 2019.

54

Bíonn meascán gníomhaíochtaí pleanáilte ann i rith an lae de ghnáthaimh chomónta sanaíonra, chun na páistí a mhealladh i leith úsáid na Gaeilge. Bíonn focail agus frásaí arleith ag baint le gach gníomhaíocht. De réir a chéile, ach í a chloisteáil minic go leor,déanann an páiste nasc idir an teanga agus an ghníomhaíocht. Ansin is féidir leis anbpáiste na focail agus frásaí a úsáid iad féin, uaireanta le Gaeilge agus an teanga bhailemeasctha le chéile.

An dtógfaidh sé i bhfad ar mo pháiste Gaeilge a labhairt? Tógann sé tamall sula dtosaíonn páiste ag labhairt teanga nua agus ní hionann aon bheirtó thaobh an ráta foghlama. Ná bí díomách mura mbíonn toradh le feiceáil nó le cloisteáilláithreach bonn. I gcás na chéad teanga de, tógann sé timpeall dhá bhliain suladtosaíonn páiste ag caint ach ní hionann sin agus a rá nach mbíonn aon rud ar siúl sadá bhliain sin.

Tá sé tábhachtach go ndéanfadh páistí freastal rialta ar an naíonra leis an mbuntáiste isfearr a bhaint as an tumoideachas. Tá teanga nua á foghlaim ag na páistí gach lá sanaíonra agus má chailleann an páiste laethanta go minic, déanann sé níos deacra é dó/disocrú isteach nuair a fhilleann sé/sí.

An bhfuil an tumoideachas oiriúnach do pháistí a bhfuilriachtanais speisialta acu? Tá, agus cabhraíonn an tumoideachas leis an bpáiste scileanna cognaíocha aguscumarsáide níos fearr a fhorbairt, mar aon le féinmhuinín agus caoinfhulaingt a mhéadú.Tá clár tacaíochtaí ar fáil do naíonraí, an tSamhail um Rochtain agus Cuimsiú (AIM), lenachinntiú go mbeidh rochtain ag leanaí faoi mhíchumas ar an Scéim um Chúram agusOideachas na Luath-Óige (ECCE), agus tá gach eolas maidir leis an scéim ar fáil arwww.aim.gov.ie.

An gcuirtear isteach ar an gcéad teanga nuair a thosaítear artheanga eile a fhoghlaim? Ní chuirtear. Leathnaítear ar an gcumas iomlán teanga, seachas dochar a dhéanamh dochéad teanga an pháiste. Ní éireoidh an páiste measctha suas, mar ní bhíonn deacrachtaige/aici an dá theanga a dheighilt óna chéile.

An gá dom Gaeilge a bheith agam le mo pháiste a chlárú lenaíonra? Ní gá. Cuirtear fáilte roimh pháistí ó gach cúlra teanga agus ó gach cultúr sna naíonraí.

There is an assortment of planned activities during a normal day in the naíonra, to enticethe children in the use of Irish. There are certain words and phrases which relate to eachactivity. Gradually, having heard them frequently, the child makes the connectionbetween the language and the activity. Then, the child can use words and phraseshimself/herself, sometimes with Irish and the language at home mixed together.

How long will it take for my child to start speaking Irish? It takes time for a child to begin speaking a new language, and no two children learn atthe same rate. Do not be disappointed if you don’t see or hear your child speaking Irishimmediately. In the case of a child’s first language, it can take them two years to beginto speak, but that’s not to say that they’re not acquiring language during those twoyears.

It is important that children attend the naíonra on a regular basis to benefit the mostfrom immersion education. The children are learning a new language every day in thenaíonra and if the child is absent frequently, it is harder for him/her to settle in whenhe/she returns.

Is immersion education suitable for children with specialneeds? Yes it is. And immersion education helps the child to develop better cognitive andcommunication skills, as well as helping them to develop increased self-confidence andempathy. A support programme is available for naíonraí, the Access and Inclusion Model(AIM), in order to ensure that children with disabilities have access to the EarlyChildhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE), and all the information regarding thescheme is available at www.aim.gov.ie.

Does a child’s first language suffer when they start to learn asecond language? No, it instead increases the child’s overall language skills. There is no risk to the child’shome language, the experience of naíonraí in Ireland and of early-immersion settingsinternationally is that children are not confused by the use of a second language andcan easily tell the two languages apart.

Do I need to speak Irish to register my child with a naíonra? No you don’t. Children from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds are welcome innaíonraí.

Gnóthachtáil níos airde sa Bhéarla agus sa mhata araon ag páistí i scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge i gcomparáid lena bpiarghrúpa i scoileanna meán-Bhéarla

Is mó seans go gcuirtear curaclam níos leithne ar fáil i mbunscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge ná mar a chuirtear ar fáil i scoileanna eile

Is féidir go mbronnfar marcanna breise ar iarrthóirí a �reagraíonn scrúdú scríofa Ardteiste trí Ghaeilge

Líofacht agus litearthacht in dhá theanga

Muinín agus féiniúlachtGnóthachtáil san oideachas

Fianaise uait? Tuilleadh eolais maidir leis na buntáistí agus na tagairtí taighde lena mbaineann ar fáil ar www.gaeloideachas.ie

Níos mó teagmhála ag na páistí le cultúir éagsúla agus bíonn meas níos mó acu orthu

/Gaeloideachas@GaelOid

Éiríonn le páistí smaoineamh ar bhealaí níos cruthaithí

Bíonn siad níos fearr ag tabhairt airde, ag díriú ar thascanna agus á gcur i gcrích

Scileanna cuimhne níos fearr

Léiríonn taighde gur féidir leis an dátheangachas moill

cheithre bliana a chur ar ghalar Alzheimer

Buntáistí cognaíochaBuntáistí an Tumoideachais

Níos fearr in ann iad féin a chur in iúl, agus níos fearr in ann daoine eile a thuiscint

Forbraíonn páistí líofacht agus litearthacht sa Ghaeilge agus sa Bhéarla araon ar scoil

Níos éasca do na páistí teangacha eile a �oghlaim leis na scileanna litearthachta atá sealbhaithe acu

Tuiscint níos fearr dóibh ar na bunchlocha teanga; gramadach, déanamh focal, ord abairte

Scileanna inaistrithe iad seo gur féidir a chur i bhfeidhm i

dteangacha eile

Tuiscint níos fearr do na páistí ar a gcuid féiniúlachta féin — bíonn

féinmheas níos mó acu

Spreagtar ilchultúrachas níos doimhne agus níos lú

ciníochais

Cad is �ú an tumoideachas don pháiste? Cad a deir an taighde in Éirinn agus go hidirnáisiúnta?

Scileanna éisteachta agus cumarsáide níos éifeachtaí ag páistí

Scileanna cumarsáide

Attain higher grades in standardised tests both in English and in maths than their peers in English-medium schools

Irish-medium primary schools are more likely to provide a broader curriculum than other school types

Candidates who answer in Irish in the written examination in certain Leaving Certi�cate subjects may be given bonus marks

Fluency and literacy in two languages

Confidence and identity Increased educational attainment

Want evidence? Further information on these bene�ts, as well as research references, is available at www.gaeloideachas.ie

Receive broader exposure to other cultures and develop a greater respect for them

/Gaeloideachas@GaelOid

Children can become more creative thinkers

They’re better able to pay attention, to concentrate on and complete tasks

Helps to improve memory skills

Research has shown that being bilingual can delay

the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease by four years

Cognitive advantages Advantages of Immersion Education

Better able to express themselves, and better able to understand others

Children develop �uency and literacy in both Irish and English in school

Easier for the children to learn additional languages, thanks to the literacy skills they acquire through immersion education

Better understanding of the foundations of language; grammar, word formation, sentence structure

Transferrable skills can be applied to other languages

Better understanding of their own sense of self, and this gives them

increased self-esteem

Promotes deeper multiculturalism and

less racism

What is the value of immersion education for a child? What does the Irish and international research say?

Develop more e�ective listening and communicative skills

Communication skills

21:38

76

98

Cén ról atá agam mar thuismitheoir? Tá comhpháirtíocht idir tuismitheoirí agus múinteoirí luathbhlianta ríthábhachtach chunsochair na bpáistí. Foghlaimíonn páistí faoin domhan agus faoin áit atá acu féin sadomhan sin trí mheán a gcuid gcomhráite, súgartha agus a gcuid gnáthamh letuismitheoirí agus lena dteaghlaigh. Is é seo thíos cúpla nod duit ar conas tacú le dopháiste agus iad sa naíonra.

Labhair leis an múinteoir naíonraInis don mhúinteoir faoi cad atá bainte amach ag an bpáiste sa bhaile. Cén dearcadh aléiríonn sé/sí faoin naíonra sa bhaile? An raibh sé/sí ar bís faoi ghníomhaíocht ar leith?

Inis don mhúinteoir luathbhlianta faoi imeachtaí spreagúla sa bhaile cosúil le breithlá,imeacht cultúrtha, peata nua nó gaol ag teacht ar cuairt. Roinn traidisiúin agus cultúr anteaghlaigh leis an múinteoir luathbhlianta ionas gur féidir iad a cheiliúradh sa naíonra.

Breathnaigh agus labhair le do pháiste faoi thaispeántais nó faoi ghrianghraif atá sanaíonra. Roinn eolas leis an múinteoir luathbhlianta faoi thacaí nó faoi chúnamh ar leithatá ag teastáil ó do pháiste chun páirt ghníomhach a ghlacadh i ngníomhaíochtaí annaíonra, nó faoi aon riachtanais speisialta atá ag do pháiste.

Pléigh leis an múinteoir naíonra maidir le cabhair phraiticiúil a d’fhéadfá a thabhairt idtaobh ócáidí sóisialta de (turais, drámaí, cóisir na Nollag, srl.).

Labhair le do pháisteAthrú mór agus cloch mhíle an-tábhachtach i saol an pháiste is ea tosú ar an naíonra.Caithfidh sé/ sí dul i dtaithí ar áit nua, ar mhúinteoir nua, ar ghnáthamh nua agus archairde nua. Le roinnt bheag ullmhúcháin agus spreagadh uait, áfach, socróidh dopháiste isteach go luath. Seo cúpla nod don tuismitheoir a bhfuil Gaeilge aige/aici (tánoda do thuismitheoirí nach bhfuil Gaeilge acu sa leagan Béarla den mhír seo):

Bí dearfach! Léirigh do do pháiste go bhfuil tú ag tnúth go mór leis/léi tosú ar an naíonra.Cabhróidh sé seo leis an bpáiste bheith ar bís faoina bhfuil os a c(h)omhair. Léigh maidirle buntáistí an tumoideachais. Cabhróidh an naíonra le cumas Gaeilge do pháiste ashaibhriú agus tógáil ar an méid atá sealbhaithe acu sa bhaile.

What is my role as a parent? The partnership between parents and early-years teachers is extremely important for thebenefit of the children. The children learn about the world and about their own place inthat world through the means of conversations, play and their routines with parents andwith their families. Below are some pointers for you on how to support your child whilein the naíonra.

Speak to the naíonra teacherTell the teacher what the child has achieved at home. What is his/her attitude towardsthe naíonra at home? Was he/she excited about a particular activity?

Tell the early-years teacher about the motivating events at home like a birthday, a culturalevent, a new pet or a relative visiting. Share the family’s traditions and culture with theearly-years teacher so that they can be celebrated in the naíonra.

Look and speak to your child about displays or about photographs that are in the naíonra.Share information with the early-years teacher about supports or about particularassistance that is required by your child in order to participate actively in the activitiesof the naíonra, or about any of your child’s special needs.

If you can offer any practical help with social events (trips, pays, the Christmas party,etc.), discuss this with the teacher.

Speak to your childStarting in the naíonra is a big change and a very important milestone in the life of achild. He/she has to become accustomed to a new place, a new teacher, a new routineand new friends. However, with a little bit of preparation and encouragement from you,your child will quickly settle in. Here are some pointers for parents who have little or noIrish themselves:

Be enthusiastic: Show your child that you are looking forward to them starting in thenaíonra. This will help the child to be excited about what’s ahead of him/her. Read upon the benefits of immersion education. The naíonra will help with enriching your child’sability in Irish.

1110

Bí ag caint! Tá sé an-tábhachtach caint go dearfach faoin naíonra le do pháiste agusna rudaí éagsúla a bheidh ar siúl aige/aici. Tugann sé seo deis dó/di caint faoi na rudaía bhfuil siad ar bís fúthu agus aon ní eile atá ag cur imní air/uirthi a phlé.

Nuair a thagann an páiste amach as an naíonra, ná hiarr air/uirthi "an raibh tú go maithinniu?" Ina ionad sin, fiafraigh de/di “ar thaitin an lá leat?” nó “ar bhain tú taitneamh asdo lá?” Is cuma cén saghas iompair a léirigh sé/sí, mar i gceann an pháiste, a mhalairtde bheith go maith ná bheith dána.

Cuir béim ar na nithe iontacha a bhaineann le saol an naíonra: cairde nua, gníomhaíochtaíspraíúla, scéalta, amhráin agus cluichí nua. Eagraíonn Mother Tongues go leor imeachtaí,seisiúin eolais agus ceardlanna do theaghlaigh ilteangacha – b’fhiú breathnú ar a bhfuilar siúl acu ar www.mothertongues.ie.

Bí ag léamh! Is cuma cén teanga ina bhfuil tú á dhéanamh, tá sé tábhachtach nós naléitheoireachta agus grá do leabhair a chothú trí leabhair a léamh sa bhaile le do pháiste.Tá leabhair phictiúr an-mhaith freisin le cur le scileanna cainte agus le comhrá aspreagadh – is féidir caint faoi na pictiúir go spraíúil le chéile. Glac sealanna – is féidirleis an bpáiste féin leabhar gan focal a léamh, agus is féidir leat sult a bhaint as an scéala insíonn sé/sí.

Bí ag spraoi! Beidh do pháiste ag foghlaim go leor rudaí nua trí mhodh an tsúgartha sanaíonra. Más féidir leis/léi bualadh agus spraoi le páistí eile, cabhróidh sé leis/léi dul idtaithí ar bhréagáin a roinnt agus babhtáil ar a chéile. Cabhraíonn an spraoi leis/léiscileanna luaile, cumarsáide, cruthaitheachta agus fiosrachta a fhorbairt agus teacht arthuiscintí nua ar an saol mórthimpeall air/uirthi.

Tá go leor bealaí le spraoi a bheith agaibh tríd an nGaeilge sa bhaile, fiú murab í anGhaeilge an teanga atá agaibh sa bhaile cheana féin. Is féidir éisteacht le rainn nóamhráin Ghaeilge le chéile, breathnú ar chláir do pháistí ar TG4 nó ar fhíseáin spraíúlaar líne, cluichí Gaeilge a imirt agus freastal ar imeachtaí do theaghlaigh le Gaeilge. Tárogha mhór ann agus beidh do pháiste ag foghlaim i ngan fhios dó/di féin agus é/í agtógáil ar a stór focal, scileanna litearthachta agus teanga de réir a chéile.

Talk together! It is very important to talk positively to your child about the naíonra andwhat will happen when they start in the naíonra. This will give him/her the opportunity totell you what they’re looking forward to or what they might be worried about.

When the child comes out of the naíonra don’t ask him/her “were you good today?”.Instead, ask him/her “did you like it today?” or “did you enjoy the day?” It doesn’t matterwhat behaviour he/she displayed, because in the eyes of a child, the opposite of beinggood is being bold.

Focus on the exciting things in the life of the naíonra: new friends, playful activities,stories, songs and new games. Mother Tongues organise many events, briefing sessionsand workshops for multilingual families – it is worthwhile looking at what they’re doingat www.mothertongues.ie.

Talk to your child about all the great things that will happen when they start in the naíonra:making new friends, playing games, reading new books, singing songs and learning awhole new language. Give them the chance to tell you what they’re looking forward toor what they might be worried about.

Read together! The very best thing you can do for your child to prepare them for schoolis to read to them, and foster a love of books and reading. Picture books are a greatway to encourage conversation about anything. Read in your home language, or if youhave a cúpla focal, try reading a simple book in Irish with them. Make an adventure of it,take a trip to the library together and allow your child to choose a book for you to read.

Play together! Your child will learn may new things through the play method in thenaíonra. If he/she can meet and play with other children, this will help him/her becomeaccustomed to sharing toys and swapping with one another. Playing helps him/her todevelop motor, communication, creative and inquisitive skills and gain newunderstandings of the world around him/her.

There are many ways you can play through Irish at home, even if Irish isn’t the languageyou usually use at home. You can listen to verses or songs in Irish together, look atprogrammes for children on TG4 or at fun videos on line, play games in Irish and attendevents for families with Irish. There is a great choice and your child will learn withoutrealising it and gradually will enhance his/her vocabulary, and literacy and languageskills.

1312

Lorg comhluadar! Bealach álainn le bualadh le teaghlaigh eile le Gaeilge ná freastal arPopUp Gaeltacht na nÓg nó imeachtaí a chuireann eagraíochtaí éagsúla Gaeilge ar siúltimpeall na tíre - Glór na nGael, Gael Taca, Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Muintearasagus An Carn ina measc. Feicfidh do pháiste go bhfuil go leor daoine eile timpeall orthua bhfuil Gaeilge aige/aici.

Tá tacaíocht do thuismitheoirí ar fáil i gcónaí ó Gaeloideachas. Breathnaigh ar an gcuidmaidir le na dtuismitheoirí ar www.gaeloideachas.ie nó tabhair cuairt arwww.irishforparents.ie. Déan teagmháil le foireann na heagraíochta má tá aon cheistagat maidir leis an tumoideachas nó maidir leis an oideachas lán-Ghaeilge.

Look for company! A lovely way to meet other families with Irish is attending a PopUpGaeltacht na nÓg or events that Irish language organisations organise around thecountry - including Glór na nGael, Gael Taca, Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, Muintearasand An Carn. Your child will see that there are plenty of other people around him/herwho have Irish.

There is always support available to parents from Gaeloideachas. Look at the sectionon parents at www.gaeloideachas.ie or visit www.irishforparents.ie. Contact theorganisation’s staff if you have any queries regarding immersion education or regardingIrish-medium education.

1514

An leantar curaclam sa naíonra? Modh an tsúgarthaLéiríonn an taighde dúinn gurb é modh an tsúgartha an bealach is éifeachtaí do pháistefoghlaim a dhéanamh sna luathbhlianta. Cuidíonn an súgradh le forbairt iomlán anpháiste, agus is tríd a mhúsclaítear fiosracht agus a spreagtar an tsamhlaíocht. Cuireannan naíonra gníomhaíochtaí ar fáil don pháiste bunaithe ar thuiscint na múinteoiríluathbhlianta ar an bpáiste, a (h)aois, a staid forbartha agus a c(h)uid riachtanas. Is féidirgo mbeadh múnlaí oideachais éagsúla in úsáid i naíonraí áirithe, a leithéidí High Scopeagus Montessori, agus is fiú labhairt leis na múinteoirí sa naíonra maidir leis angcleachtas atá acu.

AistearÚsáidtear an creatchuraclam Aistearmar thacaíocht do mhodh an tsúgartha, le heispéiristhaitneamhacha, dhúshlánacha a phleanáil agus a sholáthar do pháistí. An aidhm atáleis ná go mbeidh na páistí ina bhfoghlaimeoirí inniúla, féinmhuiníneacha agus go mbeidhcaidrimh ghrámhara le daoine eile á gcothú acu.

Cuimsíonn Aistear go leor acmhainní do thuismitheoirí chomh maith. Is fiú go mór cuairta thabhairt ar an gcuid ‘Luath-Óige’ ar shuíomh na Comhairle Náisiúnta Curaclaim agusMeasúnachta, www.ncca.ie.

Is a curriculum followed in the naíonra?The play methodResearch shows us that the play method is the most effective way for children to learnin the early years. Play assists with the child’s complete development and through it,curiosity is awakened and imagination is encouraged. The naíonra provides activitiesfor the child based on the early-years teacher’s understanding of the child, his/her age,his/her developmental stage and his/her requirements. Various additional educationmodels are used in naíonraí, such as High Scope and Montessori, and it’s worthwhilespeaking to the teachers in the naíonra regarding their practice.

Aistear The curriculum framework Aistear is used as a support for the play method, in order toplan and provide enjoyable and challenging experiences for the children. The purposeof this is to ensure that the children will be competent and self-confident learners andthat they will foster loving relationships with other people.

Aistear includes many resources for parents as well. It is well worthwhile visiting the‘Early Childhood’ section on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’swebsite, www.ncca.ie.

1716

Rudaí a léiríonn meonta dearfachamaidir le foghlaim:

• Bheith muiníneach • Bheith súite san ábhar agus bheithdiongbháilte

• Bheith in ann díriú ar rud• Samhlaíocht a úsáid• Bheith acmhainneach • Neamhspleáchas a léiriú• Leanúint ort in ainneoin dúshlán nódeacrachtaí

• Cinntí a ghlacadh • Bheith seiftiúil • Rioscaí a ghlacadh • Féinsmacht a léiriú• Bheith ag baint sult as

Scileanna atá páistí in ann achleachtadh:

• Caidreamhacht a fhorbairt • Scileanna cumarsáide a úsáid• Scileanna éisteachta a úsáid• Scileanna labhartha a úsáid• Scileanna maidir le réiteach faidhbe agus idirbheartaíocht a fhorbairt • Rudaí, uirlisí agus ábhair éagsúla a láimhseáil • Fearas teicniúil a úsáid, m.sh. ceamara, ríomhaire • Cothromaíocht • Lámhacán, siúl, rith, preabadh ar leathchos• Caitheamh • Meascadh, doirteadh

Rudaí a léiríonn tuairimí dearfacha i leith na foghlama agus an tsaoil:

• Rioscaí a ghlacadh agus rudaí nua athriail

• Tuairimí lácha agus measúla a léiriú ileith daoine eile

• Cúram a léiriú don timpeallacht • Bheith freagrach astu féin • Tuairimí dearfacha a léiriú maidir lefiosrú, taiscéalaíocht agus foghlaim

• Bheith toilteanach glacadh godearfach le dúshláin agus athruithe

• Bheith in ann frustrachas a shárú• Bheith spreagtha agus diongbháilte

Léiríonn páistí eolas agus tuiscintí trí:

• Mothúcháin a léiriú, agus labhairtfúthu

• Eolas a roinnt le daoine eile • Iad féin a chur in iúl go cruthaitheachagus go samhlaíoch

• Ceisteanna a chur, tuar a dhéanamhagus cúis a thabhairt

• Íomhánna agus siombailí a thuiscint • Freagairt do cheol, scéalta agusdrámaíocht

• Comhaireamh, rangú, cur in ord agustomhas

• Feasacht a léiriú ar spás, méid,patrúin

• Rialacha a thuiscint • Tuiscint a léiriú ar cé hiad féin, cábhfuil cónaí orthu agus an pobal inabhfuil siad ina gcónaí

Meonta, Scileanna, Tuairimí, Eolas agus Tuiscintí a aithint

Tagairt: Building pictures of Learning Coiste Cúram Páistí Chontae Dhún na nGall

Positive dispositions towards learninginclude:

• Being confident • Being absorbed and purposeful• Being able to concentrate• Using imaginations• Being resilient • Demonstrating independence• Persevering with challenge anddifficulty

• Making decisions • Being resourceful • Taking risks • Having self-control• Having fun

Skills that children can practice include:

• Developing sociability • Using communication skills• Developing listening skills• Using language• Developing problem solving andnegotiating skills

• Manipulating objects, tools, materials • Using technical equipment, e.g.camera, computer

• Balancing • Crawling, walking, running, hopping• Throwing • Mixing, pouring

Positive attitudes to learning and to lifeby:

• Taking risks, trying out new things • Demonstrating caring and respectfulattitudes towards others

• Caring for the natural environment • Being responsible for themselves• Exhibiting positive attitudes toinvestigate, explore and learn

• Being willing to embrace challengeand change

• Coping with frustration• Being motivated and purposeful

Children demonstrate knowledge andunderstanding by:

• Showing and talking about feelings• Sharing information with others • Expressing themselvescreatively/imaginatively

• Asking questions, predicting andjustifying

• Understanding pictures and symbols • Responding to music, stories anddrama

• Counting, classifying, ordering andsizing

• Showing an awareness of space,size, pattern

• Understanding rules • Showing understanding of who theyare, where they live and their localcommunity

Recognising Dispositions, Skills, Attitudes, Knowledgeand Understanding

Reference: Building pictures of Learning Donegal County Childcare Committee

1918

Conas a chinntítear caighdeán sa naíonra?Foireann cháilithe agus oilteCaithfidh gach múinteoir luathbhlianta cáilíochtaí ábhartha a bhaint amach sulabhfostaítear iad. Bíonn orthu tabhairt faoi fhorbairt ghairmiúil ar bhonn rialta ar chúrsaícosanta leanaí agus garchabhrach. Bíonn Teagmhálaí Ainmnithe ag gach naíonra, agusdéantar imréiteach an Gharda Síochána ar gach ball foirne.

Rialacháin agus cigireacht rialta Déanann an Ghníomhaireacht um Leanaí agus an Teaghlach, Tusla, cigireacht rialta argach seirbhís luathbhlianta lena chinntiú go bhfuil siad ag cloí leis na Rialacháin umChúram Leanaí. Ciallaíonn sé seo gur gá do naíonraí árachas cuí, beartaisshábháilteachta dóiteáin, nósanna imeachta agus polasaithe, agus cóimheasa cuí abheith i bhfeidhm acu. Foilsítear tuairiscí cigireachta Tusla go poiblí ar www.tusla.ie.

Déanann Pobal cigireacht ar naíonraí ar son na Roinne Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige maidirle cúrsaí airgid, líon agus freastal na bpáistí agus cáilíochtaí na foirne.

Tá formhór na naíonraí ag feidhmiú faoin Scéim um Chúram agus Oideachas naLuath-Óige (ECCE). Déanann an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna cigireacht atá dírithear an oideachas sna luathbhlianta ar na seirbhísí seo. Is í forbairt teanga ceann de napríomhaidhmeanna atá ag baint le foghlaim i naíonraí atá rannpháirteach sa scéim. Igcreatlach cáilíochta na Roinne, baineann na tagairtí do ‘teanga’ le Gaeilge i gcásnaíonra. Is féidir a tuairiscí cigireachta a léamh ar www.education.ie.

Tacaíochtaí cuí Tá Creatlach Náisiúnta Cáilíochta, Síolta, curtha ar fáil ag an Roinn Oideachais agusScileanna le cabhrú le seirbhísí luathbhlianta eispéiris d’ardchaighdeán a sholáthar dopháistí. Cuireann an Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige, na coistí cúram leanaí agus earnáildheonach na luathbhlianta tacaíochtaí ar fáil leis an dea-chleachtas a chur chun cinn.Tá tacaíochtaí i dtaobh an tumoideachais ar fáil ó Na Naíonraí Gaelacha agusGaeloideachas lena chinntiú go mbeidh naíonraí in ann cúram den scoth a dhéanamhde na páistí a fhreastalaíonn orthu.

How is quality assured in the naíonra?Qualified and skilled staffEvery early-years teacher must achieve the relevant qualifications before beingemployed. They must undertake regular professional development courses on childprotection and first-aid. Each naíonra has a Designated Liaison Person, and all membersof staff undertake Garda Clearance.

Regulations and regular inspections The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, undertake regular inspections on every early-yearsservice to ensure that they are complying with the Childcare Regulations. This meansthat naíonraí have to have the relevant insurance, fire safety measures, procedures andpolicies and the relevant staff-to-child ratios in operation. Tusla inspection reports arepublished on www.tusla.ie.

Pobal inspect naíonraí on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs inrelation to financial matters, the number of children and their attendance and the staffmembers’ qualifications.

The majority of naíonraí are operating under the Early Childhood Care and EducationScheme (ECCE). The Department of Education and Skills undertake inspections whichfocus on the education in early years in these services. One of the primary aims for anaíonra participating in the scheme is language development. In the Department’sframework for quality, the references to language relate to the Irish language in the caseof the naíonra. You can read the reports of the Early Years Inspectorate atwww.education.ie.

Relevant supports The National Quality Framework, Síolta, has been produced by the Department ofEducation and Skills to assist the early-years services in providing the children with ahigh-quality experience. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the city andcounty childcare committees and the early-years voluntary sector provide supports inorder to promote best practice. Supports for immersion education are available fromNa Naíonraí Gaelacha and Gaeloideachas, to ensure that naíonraí will be able to providefirst-class care for the children who attend them.

2120

Cód eiticeLeagann an Cód Eitice do mhúinteoirí luathbhlianta na hÉireann amach na luachannaagus eitic a chuireann taca faoi obair an mhúinteora luathbhlianta. De réir an chóid,aithníonn múinteoirí luathbhlianta:

• Uathúlacht gach páiste, agus go bhfuil cearta dosháraithe acu faoi mar atáleagtha amach de réir Choinbhinsiún na Náisiún Aontaithe um Chearta an Linbh;

• Gur tréimhse shuntasach ar leith i saol an duine í an luath-óige agus gur gáluach agus meas a thabhairt di, gur gá tacú léi agus í a chothú mar rud inti féin;

• Go bhfuil an páiste óg spreagtha go nádúrtha i dtreo na foghlama agus go bhfuilsé/sí gníomhach ina f(h)orbairt féin trína c(h)aidreamh leis an domhan timpeallair/uirthi. Is foghlaimeoir ábalta agus muiníneach é/í an páiste óg.

• Go dtarlaíonn oideachas agus cúram luath-óige i gcomhthéacs an teaghlaigh,an phobail agus an chultúir;

• Go mbláthaíonn páistí i bpobail atá comhbhách agus daonlathach; • Go bhfuil spraoi lárnach mar mhodh le tacú le forbairt agus foghlaim páistí óga.

Déanfaidh múinteoirí luathbhlianta na luachanna seo a chothú agus a chur chun cinnagus iad i mbun a gcuid ról agus tascanna.

Code of EthicsThe Code of Ethics for early-years educators in Ireland outlines the values and ethicswhich underpin the work of the early-years teacher. In accordance with the code,early-years teachers acknowledge that:

• Every child is unique and has inalienable rights, as set out in the United NationsConvention on the Rights of the Child;

• Early childhood is a significant and distinct time in life that must be valued,respected, nurtured, and supported in its own right;

• The young child is innately driven to learn and is an active agent in her/his owndevelopment through her/his interactions with the world. The young child is acompetent and confident learner;

• Early childhood education and care takes place in the context of family,community and culture;

• Children thrive best in caring and democratic communities; • Play is a key means of supporting young children’s learning and development.

Early-years teachers, in undertaking their roles and tasks, will seek to promote andmaintain these values.

2322

Cé muid Na Naíonraí Gaelacha Is eagraíocht í Na Naíonraí Gaelacha atá ar an bhfód ó 1974. Bunaíodh í chun tacaíochta thabhairt do na naíonraí i ngach gné dá gcuid oibre. Is eagraíocht í atá go hiomlándeonach agus an t-aon fhoinse airgid atá aici ná an táille ballraíochta a íocann naíonraíleis an eagraíocht go bliantúil. Is ionadaithe na naíonraí amháin atá ar choiste stiúrthaNa Naíonraí Gaelacha, agus feidhmíonn siad le guth comhaontaithe leis na naíonraílasmuigh den Ghaeltacht a chur chun cinn agus deiseanna forbartha agus oiliúna a churar fáil dóibh.

Teagmháil: nanaionraigaelacha@gmail.com

GaeloideachasIs í Gaeloideachas eagraíocht náisiúnta tacaíochta agus abhcóideachta na scoileannalán-Ghaeilge. Fís na heagraíochta ná go mbeidh fáil ag gach tuismitheoir agus caomhnóirar thumoideachas lán-Ghaeilge ar ard-chaighdeán gurb é a rogha é dá gcuid páistí.Bunaíodh í sa bhliain 1973 mar eagraíocht dheonach chun tacaíocht a thabhairtd’fhorbairt na scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge, agus tá sí ag cur seirbhísí ar fáil do naíonraílasmuigh den Ghaeltacht ó 2014. Ráiteas misin na heagraíochta ná go mbeidh sealbhúagus sóisialú na Gaeilge á chur chun cinn tríd an tumoideachas lán-Ghaeilge ónréamhscolaíocht go hiar-bhunscolaíocht ar fud na tíre.

Teagmháil: eolas@gaeloideachas.ie | 01-8535195 | www.gaeloideachas.ie | Facebook.com/gaeloideachas | Twitter.com/gaeloid

Buíochas Is é seo an naoú heagrán den leabhrán seo. Gabhann Gaeloideachas agus Na NaíonraíGaelacha buíochas le gach aon duine a rinne eagarthóireacht air thar na mblianta, inameasc: Máire Mhic Mhathúna, Máire Nic Eoin, Bairbre Ní Vallaigh, Bairbre Mhic ConIomaire, Niall Ó Muilleoir, Mairéad Mhic Gabhann, Gráinne Uí Cheallacháin, Máire UíMhurchú agus Máire Ní Choileáin.

About Us Na Naíonraí Gaelacha Na Naíonraí Gaelacha is an organisation working in this area since 1974. It wasestablished to support naíonraí in every element of their work. It is a completely voluntaryorganisation and its only source of funding is the membership fees paid annually bynaíonraí to the organisation. The steering committee of Na Naíonraí Gaelacha is solelymade up of representatives of the Naíonraí themselves, and they work together topromote naíonraí outside of the Gaeltacht and to provide them with development andtraining opportunities.

Contact: nanaionraigaelacha@gmail.com

GaeloideachasGaeloideachas is a national support and advocacy organisation for Irish-mediumschools. The organisation’s vision is that high-quality Irish-medium immersion educationshould be available to every parent and guardian who wants it for their child. It wasestablished in 1973 as a voluntary organisation in order to support the development ofIrish-medium schools, and it has been providing services to naíonraí outside of theGaeltacht since 2014. The organisation’s mission is to promote the acquisition andsocialisation of the Irish language through Irish-medium immersion education frompre-schooling to post-primary schooling nationwide.

Contact: eolas@gaeloideachas.ie | 01-8535195 | www.gaeloideachas.ie | Facebook.com/gaeloideachas | Twitter.com/gaeloid

AcknowledgementsThis is the ninth edition of this booklet. Gaeloideachas and Na Naíonraí Gaelacha wouldlike to thank everyone who edited it over the years, including: Máire Mhic Mhathúna,Máire Nic Eoin, Bairbre Ní Vallaigh, Bairbre Mhic Con Iomaire, Niall Ó Muilleoir, MairéadMhic Gabhann, Gráinne Uí Cheallacháin, Máire Uí Mhurchú and Máire Ní Choileáin.

24