Naíonra Éanna opened in Gaelscoil Éanna in September 2003, with the aim of giving children from 2 years 8 months -5 the opportunity to acquire the Irish language in the most natural way possible, through full immersion, and also to develop all their preschool skills through play. The activities, games, stories and toys in the Naíonra have been carefully chosen to create as many opportunities as possible for the children to learn, all the while playing and having fun.
We implement a play-based curriculum within the guidelines of Aistear-The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. You can learn more about Aistear on www.ncca.biz/Aistear.
· to help the child acquire Irish or to improve his/her knowledge of Irish by using it as the means of communication
In the naíonra, no pressure is put on any child to speak Irish. The idea is that the child will acquire this second language in the way in which he/she acquired the first – by listening, understanding, isolating words and structures and, eventually producing words, phrases and sentences.
Apart from the general advantages of good pre-schooling, there are additional benefits to be gained from exposing a child to a second language at this level. The pre-school child is already actively involved in language learning and the naíonra presents an ideal situation for that purpose. The activities and the language associated with them, are based on real toys and equipment; words used by the Múinteoir are self-explanatory from their contexts or can be linked to actions and recurring events. Every child has plenty of opportunity to talk and speak with the Múinteoir
The following are some of the areas in which the children develop in the Naíonra:
Language: The children are given every opportunity throughout every session to acquire their new language, through general conversation, ‘Am Ciorcal’ (Circle Time), stories, games and pretend play.
Art: In the Naíonra, the children have the opportunity every day to draw, paint, cut, stick and make their own creations out of the huge amount of material available to them. We encourage the children to use their own imaginations when they are at the art table, and never insist that they participate, or that they must make a certain thing.
Science & Nature: There is a lot of emphasis put on the ‘Bord Dúlra’ and the children will be encouraged to bring in certain flowers, insects etc. from time to time. We also do some experiments from time to time
Construction; The children have a lot of opportunities to make things out of construction toys such as straws, blocks, wooden blocks, lego, mobilo etc.
Mathematics: Unknown to themselves, the children acquire many pre-maths skills as they play in the sand and water, measuring, comparing and discovering quantities, shapes and mass.
Music: Along with the many songs we sing with the children during the daily routine in the Naíonra, we also sing many songs at ‘Am Ciorcal’, do dancing games and play simple percussion instruments, teaching the children about simple rhythm, timing and different sounds.
Physical Activity: We play different types of games in the Naíonra, promoting physical activity through the use of balls, bean bags, rhymes, dancing etc.
Social Skills: Confidence and self-esteem building are very important aspects of the Naíonra. The children have the opportunity to express themselves and be part of a group at ‘Am Ciorcal’ and also to socialise and role-play in the ‘Cúinne-Baile’ (Home Corner) and while playing turn-taking games. In the Naíonra the children also learn about respect for others and their surroundings and how to listen to others.
The Naíonra is registered with Tusla. All staff are fully qualified and additional training and experience which add to the service we provide include, First Aid and Child Protection and Buntús Sports training.
We look forward to welcoming your child to Naíonra Éanna and watching them grow, develop and acquire a new language, while they make new friends, play and have fun!
