Station:
TG4 (IE)
Status:
Running
Start:
2024-10-16
Rating:
0/10 from 0 users
For the first time in Ireland, we get a fly-on-the-wall insight into a small world where big things happen – welcome to the wonderful world of the Naíonra. In this heartwarming three-part series, cameras follow all the action in two Naíonra over the course of one year, one in Tallaght, Dublin, and one in Mallow, County Cork. Máire Uí Bhriain is the director of Naíonra Thomáis Dáibhís in Mallow, and she relishes connecting with the children by connecting with her own inner child. In Tallaght, Aisling Breathnach is director of Naíonra Chaitlín Maude and she loves the honesty of the kids and how they make her laugh.These two Naíonraí are not in a Gaeltacht and most of these children start with no Irish, but their parents want to offer them the gift of Gaeilge… and in the Naíonra we see their first steps in becoming fluent in a second language. As we observe the children, experts enrich our understanding of their early experiences. Speech & Language Therapist Dr. Ciara O'Toole explains throughout the series how we acquire language and how the brain is wired to learn multiple languages from birth. But these early learners aren't just learning a second language. This is a period in childhood development where the brain is exploding with activity as it develops hugely, as Clinical Psychologist Dr. Cáit Verling explains. Education expert An tOllamh Emeritus Pádraig Ó Duibhir gives context to the experience of the children and their teachers as we join them on this journey in one of the most important years in life, where so many of the skills we use throughout our lives are first learned - understanding, communication and friendship.
There is no Next Episode of Naíonra planned.
S1E1 - Episode 1
The start of the Naíonra year brings a mix of nerves and tears - affecting not only the children but their parents too. But in the space of a few short miraculous months, we see the children grow in confidence, learn new skills, new words as Gaeilge and make new friends. All the important routines are now well established from putting on coats to eating lunch. Playing The Three Little Pigs, hiding under blankets at Halloween and dressing up as Mammy Clause for Christmas… It's all happening through play, song and fun.
Air Date: 16 Oct 2024 15:30 (CDT)
S1E2 - Episode 2
January - the start of a new year and a new term in the Naíonra. The children are calm and happy and the skills of listening, speaking and questioning are coming to the fore. The children are now starting to use more words as Gaeilge naturally in their day-to-day life, and their play is becoming more sophisticated. Fun, play and song continues to be at heart of what happens in the busy life of the naíonra – love on Valentines Day, marching behind Múinteoir Máire in their own Patrick's Day parade, dressing up as their favourite book characters, and leaving the naíonra in a bus on an exciting trip for the very first time.
Air Date: 23 Oct 2024 15:30 (CDT)
S1E3 - Episode 3
In this final term of the Naíonra year, the children are strong and independent- they can solve problems, play elaborate imaginative games, have an argument and resolve it. Their language skills are improving significantly. They play ‘school' and talk about uniforms and homework as they get used to the idea of the next step. In the suburb of Tallaght, and in the town of Mallow, it's time for each little community that has grown together, played together and learned together, to move on to big school.
Air Date: 30 Oct 2024 16:30 (CDT)