IT'S never to early to speak Irish to your little ones. The benefits of being brought up hearing more than one language has been shown to have intellectual advantages, but now scientists claim that listening to more than one language being spoken as an infant, even before they can utter a word, could improve a child's problem-solving skills and memory.
The latest study by researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle found that the area of the brain responsible for what is known as 'executive function' was more developed among babies in a bilingual home than one with just one language. This crucial executive function is responsible for learning, problem solving, memory and other skills.
West Belfast private day care centre Teach Mhamó believes in providing children with an early introduction to the Irish language. Run by Nuala McCosker, the Irish-language daycare opened its doors in March 2005. It is one of two Irish-speaking day care centres for 0-five-year-olds in the Northern Ireland, the other being in Armagh.
The inspiration for Teach Mhamó came about just before Nuala's first child, Aodhán, was born.
"I realised that when I went back to work that I wanted my son to be cared for in a loving and stimulating environment. When I was little I had been lucky enough to be cared for by my grandmother," she tells me.
"She would play games with us and let us plant in the garden. She baked buns with us and let us make tents out of old sheets in the living room. Unknown to us she was also teaching the whole time; simple mathematical and scientific concepts, vocabulary and language skills while supporting our social and emotional development. This was exactly the type of care I wanted for my child."
Nuala, who worked as a community Irish language development worker, returned to college to complete her NVQ Level 2 and 3 childcare courses, while seeking an appropriate location for the nursery.
She was grateful for St Teresa's GAC Club on Belfast's Glen Road in providing the necessary space, which included car parking and the vital secure outdoor space for the children to play.
Teach Mhamó currently provides full and part-time day care for 78 children and employs 15 Irish speakers. Irish is spoken throughout the day at Teach Mhamó, except in circumstances where there is a safety concern or where a young child needs comforted in through English.
Its name is not only a tribute to her own grandmother – mamó means 'granny' in Irish – but an expression of the ethos she wants the day care centre to have.
"It's hard to leave your wee one with strangers. We wanted to create a happy and secure home from home environment."
The centre has three purpose-built rooms resourced to provide a bright and stimulating environment with a homely feel. They use many Irish language publications, though would obviously like to see more children's books published in the Irish language. They also make their own resources and posters and benefits from links from St Mary's University College.
The Irish culture is expressed through music in rhyme time – bodhrans are among instruments played – and there is even some early Irish dancing.
Teach Mhamó staff were delighted to recently have won a Primary Times award for Best Private Day Care in West Belfast, as it was based on positive feedback from parents rather than votes.
Nuala's own two children Blaithlin (13 months) and Aodhán (four) are two of the centres biggest fans. At home Nuala speaks Irish, whilst the children's father speaks English.
As well as Irish-speaking families, Nuala is delighted that there are a number of children attending Teach Mhamó whose parent's aren't bilingual.
"Irish language day care gives your child a head start on their acquisition of Irish rather than waiting until they begin naíscoil (primary school). It further supports parents who are raising their children with Irish as their first language. For children who are going on to or already attend English nursery/primary school it gives them a period of time where they are exposed to bilingualism."
