Naíonra
Encyclopedia
A naíonra is an Irish
medium playgroup for pre-school children, which follows the principle of Total Early Immersion
.
The staff of the naíonra ensure every opportunity is made available to encourage the child's development physically, intellectually, creatively, aesthetically, socially, emotionally and linguistically. Naíonraí believe that the most suitable method of learning for children at this age is through the medium of play, and it is through this medium that every effort is made to assist in the holistic development of each child .
Na Naíonraí Gaelacha (previously Na Naíscoileanna Gaelacha), an organisation for Stiúrthóirí naíonraí, was set up in 1974, to provide information and advice to members regarding the principles of immersion education and child development .
and non-Gaeltacht regions. In 2003, Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta
became the successor to An Comhchoiste , while Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teoranta was established in 2004 by Údarás na Gaeltachta to operate in the Gaeltacht regions . These organisations provide advice, training and grant aid to existing naíonraí and those interested in starting their own naíonra. There are currently 156 naíonraí throughout Ireland , with a further 70 naíonraí in the Gaeltacht regions and 46 in Northern Ireland .
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
medium playgroup for pre-school children, which follows the principle of Total Early Immersion
Language immersion
Language immersion is a method of teaching a second language in which the target language is used as the means of instruction. Unlike more traditional language courses, where the target language is simply the subject material, language immersion uses the target language as a teaching tool,...
.
Definition
A naíonra is an Irish-medium pre-school in which a Stiúrthóir, or Leader, speaks only Irish in interacting with the children, who are usually aged between three and five years of age . Naíonraí sessions usually last between 2 to 3.5 hours per day, which a child attends on a daily basis .The staff of the naíonra ensure every opportunity is made available to encourage the child's development physically, intellectually, creatively, aesthetically, socially, emotionally and linguistically. Naíonraí believe that the most suitable method of learning for children at this age is through the medium of play, and it is through this medium that every effort is made to assist in the holistic development of each child .
Na Naíonraí Gaelacha (previously Na Naíscoileanna Gaelacha), an organisation for Stiúrthóirí naíonraí, was set up in 1974, to provide information and advice to members regarding the principles of immersion education and child development .
History
The first naíonra opened in 1968. A voluntary organisation called An Comhchoiste Réamhscolaíochta was founded ten years later to promote Irish medium pre-school education throughout the Republic of Ireland . An Comhchoiste Réamhscolaíochta was later replaced by two separate organisations in order to focus on GaeltachtGaeltacht
is the Irish language word meaning an Irish-speaking region. In Ireland, the Gaeltacht, or an Ghaeltacht, refers individually to any, or collectively to all, of the districts where the government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language, that is, the vernacular spoken at home...
and non-Gaeltacht regions. In 2003, Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta
Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta
Forbairt Naíonraí Teoranta is a voluntary organisation that works to encourage the development of Irish language childcare and education services throughout Ireland. They are based in Dublin, Ireland...
became the successor to An Comhchoiste , while Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta Teoranta was established in 2004 by Údarás na Gaeltachta to operate in the Gaeltacht regions . These organisations provide advice, training and grant aid to existing naíonraí and those interested in starting their own naíonra. There are currently 156 naíonraí throughout Ireland , with a further 70 naíonraí in the Gaeltacht regions and 46 in Northern Ireland .