Fahy pupils deliver bilingual mindfulness first on youtube
FOR the second year in a row, Mindfulness Matters has delivered a world first in time for Seachtain na Gaeilge.
This time last year saw the launch of the world’s first mindfulness CD ‘as Gaeilge’.
Inspired by numerous requests from principals of na gaelscoileanna as an SPHE resource, the CD Spás Siochanta Suaimhneach, known fondly as ‘Spás’, has been a huge hit not only in na gaelscoileanna but in many schools nationwide.
The key to its success is that fact that it not only includes a phonetic dictionary but is also available in English (Still Space). Children who get to know a track in English can follow the same track ‘as Gaeilge’ effortlessly.
Spás will be used during Seachtain na Gaelige in hundreds of schools around the country as the perfect way to learn new words and phrases in a novel, creative and relaxing way.
One school that has been using Spás since it was launched last year is Fahy N.S. in Westport. Principal Máire Nic An Fhailghigh is passionate about encouraging children to develop a ‘grá’ for an Gaeilge.
This year Mindfulness Matters, initiated by Ann Caulfield and Derval Dunford, in conjunction with Fahy N.S., have again created a ‘world’s first’ - the first bilingual YouTube clip, in which children explain the essence of mindful living and their experience of ‘Spás’ as Gaeilge agus Bearla.
The clarity with which the children explain their acts of kindness, their gratitude boxes, and how they settle their busy minds is quite inspiring, and very cute. It seems we have a lot to learn from these wise young children!
And the viewing public agree, with hits into the hundreds on the clip.
The proof that mindfulness really does matter is clear. In excess of 3,000 teachers nationwide have explored mindfulness for personal wellbeing and wellbeing in the classroom.
Ann and Derval’s popular course, developing mindfulness and wellbeing in the classroom, has provided this platform. This nourishing course has been sanctioned by the Department of Education and Skills each year since 2010 and is available online and face to face with Mayo Education Centre
Anyone interested in learning more about mindful living can go to the mindfulnessmatters.ie home page or to YouTube - ‘mindfulness with children as Gaeilge’. Every primary school in the country will receive a link to this clip from the Seactain na Gaeilge team. This clip is guaranteed to warm your heart and bring a big smile to your face!
View the clip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fStpIF0BYX8