Launch of New Digital Song Book for Gaelic Early Years Settings

Launch of New Digital Song Book for Gaelic Early Years Settings

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar's Education and Children's Services Department is delighted to announce the launch of a new digital book of Gaelic songs which was developed and trialled at Stornoway Child Care Centre. The book was created by Fiona MacLeod, Manager of the Child Care Centre and Mairi MacNeil, Early Years Practitioner.
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Children in an early years group behind a table with Gaelic learning materials.

Fiona MacLeod commented:

"We are delighted with the result. The children are learning Gaelic songs linked to Makaton based signs. We are thankful for the support given by Dolly MacDonald with Makaton. Colourful sound buttons with Gaelic phrases are accessible in the room for the children to press and hear. The staff team have been supported to learn Gaelic at their own level and now feel confident sharing Gaelic stories and songs. The support for the project has been fantastic and it's been great to see some parents also getting involved in the development and recordings for this new resource."

A woman with a child on her lap reading a book.

Hannah Gillies, Literacy and Numeracy Support Worker at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Elaine Poke, Early Years Curriculum Teacher, have supported this project and are delighted to hear how the practitioners and children have embraced the Gaelic language. Current research shows the brain connections being made in the very early years of a child's life have an impact on their childhood development. The benefits of bilingualism and learning two languages are also evident in research.

Elaine Poke, further added:

"Hearing the children singing, signing and using Gaelic phrases at such a young age is excellent. The practitioners involved in this project had varying levels of Gaelic, including complete beginners. Collective Gaelic learning is a powerful tool. A welcoming, Gaelic ethos is in place in Stornoway Childcare Centre and embedded into daily interactions and it is wonderful to see everyone fully engaged in this project."

The collaborative efforts of the Comhairle's Multimedia Unit and Early Years Department has created a lasting legacy resource. This digital book will be of great use to early years settings across the Western Isles, but it is anticipated to be welcomed at national level. The digital book is now available online.

QR code to the website where the digital book can be bought