From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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Roderic O’ Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, together with Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development, today launched Léamh Le Chéile, as part of the My Little Library Initiative 2023.
Léamh Le Chéile, funded under the Creative Ireland initiative, is a freely accessible online video resource, which demonstrates the reading of Irish Language storybooks by a performer. There are 6 videos, each one depicts a high quality children’s story book chosen from those contained within this year’s My Little Library Irish language book bags. These bags are free to every child starting school in September from their local library. This resource aims to support and encourage parents to select the Irish language book bags and read the books with their children.
It is intended that the videos can be shown to children and discussed with them, and also can be used by parents, families and early years educators for modelling of reading stories out loud in Irish.
Speaking today about the launch, Minister O’Gorman said:
“I am delighted to announce this exciting addition to the successful My Little Library Initiative. I know these videos will encourage parents to read the Irish books with their children and that this resource will support parents, families and educators to enjoy our native language with our youngest generation.
“Léamh Le Chéile was a hugely collaborative effort, with thanks to the Local Government Management Agency, Libraries Ireland, Donegal Library Service, An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta and special thanks to Creative Ireland for steering the project and for their continued support.”
Minister Humphreys said:
“It is great see to these resources published and they will be really helpful for supporting everyone using the My Little Library Irish language book bags. I would encourage parents with children starting school to visit their local library and pick up their My Little Library Irish language book bag, or any parent or educator to borrow the chosen titles from their local library, watch the videos and enjoy reading along as Gaeilge together.”
Speaking about the funding of Léamh Le Chéile, under the Creative Ireland initiative, Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said:
“I am delighted that further supports will be available to parents encouraging their young children in their Irish language journey. Through the department’s Gaeltacht remit, I have a keen interest in and recognise the importance of nurturing the Irish language from an early age. Through this scheme, we can empower parents to seamlessly integrate our native language in to their children’s lives in a creative way.”