Issued: 16 Apr 2008
Toddlers and their parents celebrated the launch of a new book of play ideas in Gaelic by enjoying fun and games in an Inverness park.
Cluich@anTaigh, is the new Gaelic version of the Play @ home toddler book which is offered to all parents in Highland to encourage active play for children under 3 years old. Since the scheme, which is run by The Highland Council and NHS Highland, was introduced in 2002, the book has only been available in English, but from today parents and carers who read Gaelic will have their own language version.
The book is an easy to use guide which contains lots of ideas for active games that are not only fun to play but also help children's development. There is also advice on infant massage techniques, recipes for play materials and words to popular rhymes.
Accompanying the book is a CD of songs and rhymes "Cluich Comhla", sung by children from Acharacle Primary School in Lochaber.
The Highland Council's Chairman of Education, Culture and Sport, Councillor Bill Fernie said: "play @ home is designed to be fun. Toddlers grow so quickly that it can be hard to come up with fresh ideas to entertain and stimulate them so this is a very helpful resource. The project recognises parents are the prime educators of their children and helps them in the role so it is good we can offer books now in Gaelic as well as English."
Funding to produce the book in Gaelic has come from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, The Highland Council, Comhairle nan Leabhraichean, Comunn na Gàidhlig, Bòrd na Gàidhlig and Comhairle nan Sgoiltean Araich.
Councillor Hamish Fraser, Chairman of The Highland Council's Gaelic Committee welcomed the move to translate the book into Gaelic. He said: "I am delighted that we are now able to offer parents and carers a Gaelic version of the book for 1 to 3 year olds at a time when the demand for educating children in the Gaelic language is growing. As a Council we are committed to supporting the development of the Gaelic language and I see this as an investment for the future. We are already seeing more parents, who themselves have been educated through Gaelic medium, wishing to pass on their bi-lingual skills to their own young families."
NHS Highland Specialist in Public Health Sally Amor said: "The play @ home guide includes some fun and easy ways to entertain young children while giving them opportunities to learn with their parents and carers. It's a great tool if you are looking for something to do with children and it's brilliant that it's now available in Gaelic."
The Highland Council and NHS Highland also produce a play @ home Baby Book which has songs and rhymes in Gaelic and a Pre-School book which will have a supplement of Gaelic songs and rhymes produced later this year.
During the launch, toddlers and their parents tried out some play @ home games and songs before having a snack and receiving their packs.
Cluich@anTaigh will now be available to parents through Highland Croileagan (Gaelic Play Groups) and in all Highland libraries.