First Steps in Gaelic Games
Added on 18 November 2010
In January and all the way through to the Easter holidays, I am continuing the classes I piloted in November, over in Cromarty Primary, introducing the Primary 7 pupils to Gaelic.
I have devised a progressive programme of games for the school, using simple Gaelic words and phrases to build the pupil's language skills through play.
The basis principle is to allow the children to hear the words and phrases used repeatedly until they have confidence, then to use the same vocabulary themselves. The words go in their ears, settle in their brains and then finally come out of their mouths!
For some games the children just play, and for some I use props or visual prompts to support their learning, but the emphasis is on aural learning and oral ability, without pressure.
The programme was initiated by Cromarty Arts Trust and funded by Comunn na Gaidhlig.