GAELIC broadcasting bosses are to show more children’s content to support young speakers while schools are off.
Extra programmes on science, maths and other curriculum mainstays will be shown on BBC Alba from today.
The Gaelic-medium channel already runs children’s shows from 5pm-7pm every day. Additional content will also be available on the BBC iPlayer.
It is hoped that “children won’t even realise they are learning and developing their skills” when watching the tailored material.
Margaret Mary Murray, head of service at BBC Alba, said: “We hope these fabulous learning programmes will offer useful support to teachers, parents and carers and fun learning opportunities for children.”
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New programming includes A Bhuth, or The Shop, which will provide maths help for children aged three to seven, with Baile Mhuilinn, or Milltown, supporting language development for the same age group.
Homeschoolers will also be able to try their own experiments and find out about the science behind the fun by watching Saidheans Spòrsail, or Fun Science, which is aimed at children aged seven-12, while diverse world cultures and habitats are in focus in Aithne air Ainmhidhean, or All About Animals.
Meanwhile, new learning material on writing, maths and music for pupils aged seven-12 will also be available via the iPlayer.
And BBC Gaelic Bitesize is offering resources in Gaelic for both learners and fluent speakers, as well as other topics including history, geography, maths and modern studies for high school students.
Murray commented: “We hope these fabulous learning programmes will offer useful support to teachers, parents and carers and fun learning opportunities for children in addition to popular programmes such as Lon le Linda, Bing, Piseag is Cuilean, and Stoiridh. We have also created a learning collection for iPlayer that will be available from April 14 which will include more archive programmes that won’t be broadcast on TV allowing audiences to view at their own convenience and as often as they like.”
The classroom doors closed for pupils in Scotland late last month, with only a minority of learners such as the children of medics and other key workers still allowed to go to school.
It remains uncertain when face-to-face teaching will resume.
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