Aistear Blogs

The purpose of the updated Aistear curriculum framework is to support babies, toddlers and young children’s learning and development. In this blog, we look at how Aistear promotes the cultural and linguistic identity of all babies, toddlers and young children by affirming and supporting diversity, including Irish cultural and linguistic history and scéal (story). To contribute to this purpose, the updated Framework includes words and phrases as Gaeilge (in Irish) to support educators and families to have an awareness of the Irish language through an ease of use in everyday conversation.

Words as Gaeilge (in Irish) in Aistear are broadly categorised under four headings: Belonging; Emotive words; Play; and other common words. Seanfhocail (proverbs) are used to introduce each of the five sections in the Guidance for Good Practice.

The emotive word Meitheal is an old Irish term which is used in Aistear describing a community sense of coming together. It encapsulates the idea of ‘belonging’ with its emphasis on the centrality of relationships and sense of belonging in early childhood. Babies, toddlers and young children can experience meitheal when they can see that they matter and are valued in their community. When they are supported and cared for by significant people in their lives, babies, toddlers and young children can be empowered within this circle of security to be resilient and to build a bank of resources to help cope with life’s challenges. Meitheal resonates with the Principles of Aistear in valuing such connections with others as well as with the local community. This is further enhanced through a nurturance of ómos áite (value of place), supporting babies, toddlers and young children to feel a sense of identity and belonging in their locality, knowing they belong to, and have emerging responsibility to care for this space. Consultation with families and educators in the process of updating Aistear draws attention to the importance of belonging and feeling part of a community, particularly for those who have moved to Ireland from other countries. Having an awareness of Gaeilge helps build these connections with place.

The emotive words of bród (pride) and muinín (confidence) capture the value of babies, toddlers and young children coming to know their own scéal (story). It establishes a wonderful notion of aoibhneas croí (gladness of heart) in being with cairde (friends), being with dúlra (nature) and simply having the time and the space to just be. Bringing attention and focus to emotive words like ionadh (wonder), grá (love), dóchas (hope) and being misniúil (brave) encapsulates the vision of Aistear of the agentic, competent and confident baby, toddler and young child. The use of Gaeilge further embeds this understanding of the competent child in seeing their abilities and their emerging capabilities to learn and use language.

Aistear has always placed emphasis on súgradh (play) and playful experiences. The use of Gaeilge through spraíúlacht (playfulness) and spraoi (fun) makes language enjoyable and meaningful for babies, toddlers, young children and their families. Given the diverse profile of the educator engaging with Aistear, embedding words and phrases as Gaeilge (in Irish) supports them to embrace the language as part of the cultural and linguistic heritage of Ireland as their home / adopted country.

Building muinín (confidence) in speaking these words and phrases, as well as being fiosrach (curious) about the Irish language in early childhood creates a strong foundation for learning and nurtures an ease of acceptance of words from our culture, our history and our future.

Read the previous blog in our series here.

Read the next blog in our series here.