Heritage Languages – Resources to nurture and develop practice

Over the past seven weeks through our Scéalta blog posts we have heard about the importance of respecting each child’s linguistic and cultural identity.  The importance of reflecting on practice, how shared language and heritage helps build trust and develop relationships, so important when working with young children, especially if they represent non-majority backgrounds. The importance of getting to know families, enquiring about their cultural backgrounds and their home language. Having deliberate and open conversations about languages and their importance for the sense of identity and belonging of all of the children.  What is more important for a child’s identity than being called by their given name and it being pronounced properly?

We read about supporting children’s holistic development in fun and playful ways, absorbing language through songs and play. And how to help children and families maintain their heritage languages, through tips and reducing barriers.

Some of these posts have evolved from the work between Early Childhood Ireland and Mother Tongues, which are working together to support educators in exploring how we nurture culturally and linguistically responsive environments in education and care settings. Others are from people’s lived experience personally or professionally. All provided powerful insights into the importance of valuing multi-lingualism and the cultural heritage of the children in our settings.

Resources

Below is a list of online resources which can be accessed through kind permission from Dublin City Libraries. Many of these are available nationwide, such as Borrowbox. Other libraries may provide other supports and resources.

The resources for children in English and other languages can be accessed both online and in-branch. You can access all of the resources for free with your Dublin City Libraries card. If you don’t already have a card, you can pop into your local library branch (details of local branches are available here) to pick one up or sign up for one online here. Please note, a valid ID and proof of address is required.

Borrowbox

Borrowbox provides children’s audiobooks and eBooks in the following languages: French, German, Italian, Polish (eBooks only), Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian (eBooks only) and Welsh (eBooks only). Children’s material in a number of languages can be accessed through Borrowbox’s advanced search feature, select ‘children’ in the age category section and then select the desired language in the language section. Reserve or borrow up to five eAudiobooks and five eBooks at a time. Borrowbox is available here.

LOTE Online for Kids

LOTE Online for Kids allows children to enjoy the magic of books in world languages from the comfort of home. Each book is provided with an English translation to help develop multilingual reading and listening skills. Children can also watch a selection of English-only books with Australian, US, and UK accents. Books are available in 51 languages. LOTE online for kids is available here.

Tumblebooks

The Language Learning section features storybooks in Spanish and French. Tumblebooks can be accessed here.

Libby

Libby offers full-colour, interactive digital magazines and comics. They offer a selection of children’s material in a number of different languages. There are no checkout limits, so you’ll be able to borrow as many titles as you like. Libby can be accessed here.

Ukrainian children’s books

Dublin City Libraries has acquired a substantial quantity of Ukrainian children’s books in response to the large number of Ukrainian children who have recently moved to the country. They are available to borrow in library branches around Dublin city.

All libraries have children’s picture books in different languages. Contact your local library branch for more details. You can find your local Dublin City Libraries branch here.

Mandarin Storytelling and Play Group

The Central Library in the Ilac Centre, Henry St, Dublin, hosts a Mandarin Storytelling and Play Group every Wednesday at 2.30pm. Contact Central Library at 01 222 8300 or email centrallibrary@dublincity.ie  for more information.

While this list relates to Dublin City Libraries, we do suggest you check with you own local library to see what resources it has available.