Gaelic Learners Get The Best of Both Worlds

Two languages are better than one - even if you're only a toddler!

That's what parents of East Ayrshire's Gaelic Parent & Toddler Group believe.

The Group runs every Thursday and Friday, 9.30-11.30am in Mount Carmel Primary School and they are looking for more youngsters to come along and join in the fun.

The toddler's group is open to anyone. The current group has children from Stewarton, Dunlop and Dreghorn.

You don't have to be a native Gaelic speaker - or even know any Gaelic at all. The children will be able to learn some Gaelic and the benefits of this early learning are well-known. People who speak two languages have two windows on the world, so they can access far more literature, music and media. Research confirms that, by the end of their school education, pupils taught in two languages not only gain cultural and psychological advantages, but are better at problem-solving.

East Ayrshire Council's Gaelic provision is available to all ages and at all stages of education. Onthank Primary School in Kilmarnock has nursery and primary classes up to P7. Children are taught by specially qualified teachers in a unit within the main school building. Gaelic provision is also continued at Grange Academy.

The Educational & Social Services Department works with the Gaelic parents' association, Commann nam Parant, to run the Parent & Toddler Group. A parents' Gaelic class is also offered.

Aileen Baillie, who has a two-year-old at the Group and another daughter in the P1 Onthank Primary Gaelic Unit, said: "I thought it was a great opportunity for the girls to become bilingual. I would have been interested in them learning any language, but the fact that it was Gaelic was a bonus, as it's a part of our culture."

Councillor Iain Linton, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: "It's heartening to see our culture being carried on by these young children learning Gaelic through play. The benefits of learning a second language are well-known and I hope even more parents are encouraged to bring their children along".

For further information, call Kenneth McKinlay, Principal, Quality Improvement on 01563 555650 or email kenneth.mckinlay@east-ayrshire.gov.uk.