Aistear Guidelines for Good Practice Play
Guideline / Research and Policy
Aistear is the curriculum framework for children from birth to six years in Ireland. It describes learning and development through the four interconnected themes of Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communicating, and Exploring and Thinking. Chapter 3 – 'Learning & Developing through Play' outlines how play relates to these themes and how best to facilitate play among young children.
Wild Child Poll - Qualitative Survey (2010)
This research, commissioned by Heritage Council, was undertaken in order to understand the types of activities that today's adults undertook as children, and the extent to which their own children undertake the same activities today.
Wild Child Poll Quantitative Survey 2010
Children & the Outdoors: Research Reports (2015)
The objective of this research, commissioned by the Heritage Council, was to review existing research and relevant literature around children's relationship with the outdoors and natural heritage from a children's rights perspective. This included examining and analysing current trends and identifying gaps in the research on this subject, particularly in the Irish context.
The 1947 Flood, Kilkenny
Natural environments (Geography), Human environments (Geography), Story (History), Local studies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Energy and forces (Science) / Science, History, Geography
Content of the study
Children should learn about:
1. The cause and effect of the flood.
2. The River Nore and how it has changed from the time of the flood.
3. The story of the flood as told in the Kilkenny People.
4. Memories of people about the 1947 flood.
Skills and concepts development
Children should be able to:
1. Time and Chronology:
Describe events as before/after/ later/earlier
Use a simple timeline
2. Change and continuity:
Identify features that have remained the same, for example the houses and the bridges near the river
Identify how the River Nore has changed
3. Cause and effect:
Examine the reasons for the flood and the effect it had on Kilkenny City
4. Using evidence:
Photographs of the river today
Photographs of the flood
Edited version of articles in the Kilkenny People
5. Synthesis and Communication:
Communicate an awareness of the story of the flood and stories associated with it, in a variety of different ways such as drama and art.
5. Empathy:
Imagine and discuss what it was like to be rescued in a boat on the evening of the flood.
Imagine and discuss what it was like to have your home destroyed by floodwater.
Among the methods which may be used are:
A story lesson based on the accounts from the Kilkenny People
Examining a photograph taken of the flood
Listening to personal memories of the flood (oral evidence)
Integration with other subjects: the river (Geography)
Teacher observation
Outcomes of pupil-pupil and teacher-pupil discussion
Teacher-designed tasks
Work cards designed to help children examine the evidence
The 1947 Flood, Kilkenny Information Sheet
The 1947 Flood, Kilkenny Worksheet
"The 1947 Flood" - Charlie Cullen's childhood memory of the River Nore in flood in 1947
Story Time With Nature!
Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science) / Science
Shane Casey, the Biodiversity Officer for Clare County Council has provided us with some of his entertaining children's stories inspired by nature!
Alfred's Big Adventure is all about the antics of an ant, which takes place in the great expanse of a back garden! It's a great way of engaging younger pupils with what's going on just outside their backdoor.
The Secret Diary is aimed at slightly older children and contains some funny and engaging commentaries on the changing seasons, a really lovely way to engage children with the changes taking place in nature throughout the year.
The Agony 'Ant' is great fun and highly entertaining. Children should get a real kick out of the disgruntled inhabitants of the natural world, including a very upset tree who wants advice on how to rid himself of the nesting 'squatters' on his branches!
Storytime With Nature Alfreds Big Adventure
Storytime With Nature Biodiversity Agus Mo Laethanta Saoire
Storytime With Nature The Agony Ant
Make A St. Brigid's Cross
Natural environments (Geography), Story (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Materials (Science) / History
Saint Brigid is remembered for her spirituality, charity and compassion. Her feast day is on the 1st February, the first day of spring. It is customary on St Brigid's Day to make a cross, known as a 'St Brigid's Cross', out of rushes or reeds (other materials may be used if no rushes or reeds are available).
Once the cross is woven, it is blessed with holy water by a priest. It is then hung on the front doors of homes and left in place all year, to be burned and replaced with a newly-woven cross on the next St Brigid's Day.
How to make a St. Brigid's Cross
28 long reads or straws (if not available why not try pipe cleaners).
Position two straws to make a plus sign, putting the horizontal straw on the top. Fold the upper section of the vertical straw on top of its other half. Rotate the weave counter-clockwise 90 degrees. Repeat to fold the now-vertical straw.
Rotate 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Add another straw by placing it to the right of the folded vertical straw and beneath the folded horizontal straw. Fold it and rotate it again.
Keep repeating the process without letting the straws bunch up on top of each other. Rest the straws side by side.
Tie each arm 4 inches from the centre of the St. Brigid's cross after all the straws have been added. Trim the ends of the straw.
Skellig Michael
Natural environments (Geography), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science) / Science, Geography
Skellig Michael, comprising a well-preserved monastery and a remote hermitage perched on a rock in the Atlantic, is the most spectacularly situated of all the early medieval Irish monastic sites. The island's isolation has helped to preserve and protect the monastic remains, allowing the visitor to marvel at the remarkable achievements of the monks.
Skellig Michael is also an internationally renowned site for breeding seabirds with its steep rock slopes and cliffs providing nesting places for a variety of seabirds. It is this combination of cultural and natural history which imbues the island with a strong sense of beauty and spirituality. When inscribing the site on the World Heritage List in 1996 UNESCO described Skellig Michael as a unique example of early religious settlement which illustrates, as no other site can, the extremes of Christian monasticism.
World Heritage Ireland
The Skellig Experience
Lots of easy to understand information on planting, sowing and soil preparation for kids, and some great ideas for garden-related craft.
School Gardening
The Salty Sea
Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink! Explaining sea water.
1. Explain the difference between fresh water and sea water. And try some of these experiments.
How do we know that there is salt in the sea water?
480 ml ocean or sea water (You can make your own by mixing 10 ml of salt with 480ml of water)
Pour the water into a pan.
Place the pan in a warm, dry place.
Allow water to evaporate—this usually takes a few days.
Make observations.
2. Is it easier to float in the ocean or in fresh water?
1 uncooked egg
1 jar filled with fresh water
1 jar filled with sea water
Put the egg in the jar of fresh water.
Observe what happens.
Put the egg in the jar of ocean
All About The Sea
Great Ocean Facts
'The Sea' On The Kids Encyclopaedia Britannica
Roscommon Castle
Roscommon Castle is a dramatic and imposing 13th Century Norman Castle. It was built in 1269 by Robert de Ufford, on lands he had seized from the Augustinian Priory. The castle has a tumultuous past which can be explored with junior level children in the presentation below.
Today, the Castle's past can be visited while enjoying adjacent Loughnaneane Park and Playground, a 14 acre recreational area. The natural features of the park include a turlough and a wildlife conservation area which is a habitat of unique flora and fauna.
Image by Mike Searle and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Roscommon Castle Junior Level Presentation
About Roscommon Castle
Visit Roscommon
Discover Ireland - Roscommon Castle
Raptors Booket
As top predators, birds of prey, or 'raptors' have long been recognised as important indicators of the health of our environment. They are an essential component of a natural and well-balanced countryside. Their position at the top of the food chain also means that raptors are can be used to demonstrate a diverse range of environmental issues
However, more importantly, these top predators command a special interest and respect, particularly with children. Clare, Galway and Tipperary County Councils have collaborated with BirdWatch Ireland and with support from the Heritage Council, have developed workbooks for primary schools focused on the amazing birds of prey in Ireland, from the smallest - which is a falcon called the Merlin, to the largest - which is the enormous White-tailed Eagle.
Through animations, ecological information, fun facts and games, the different raptor species are used to introduce and explore topics such as ecosystems, food chains, conservation threats, and the importance of a healthy environment.
Watch this video piece on Hen Harriers produced by Birdwatch Ireland which was filmed in the Slieve Aughty Mountains, Co. Galway.
Raptor Workbook 1st 3rd Classes
Raptor Workbook 4th 6th Classes
Ireland's Skydancer - Birdwatch Ireland
Quick Words, Instant Poems
Natural environments (Geography) / Science
This sheet provides some word activities relating to nature that work quite well on their own or you might like to use with the class after a nature walk.
Quick Words Instant Poems
Spring flowering plants
Spring flowering plants project: can you help by submitting records of these 14 plants to the national database in 2017. Click on photos to see full accounts for each species. This recording initiative is a collaboration between the National Biodiversity Data Centre and the BSBI.
National Biodiversity Data Centre
Planning A 'Storywalk'
Natural environments (Geography), Human environments (Geography), Story (History), Local studies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science) / Science
This sheet contains some lovely ideas for creating an adventure with your class when out on a walk. Suggestions include questions you might ask the group, activities you can try out or simply some things to highlight to the children as you go along.
Planning A Storywalk
Past Explorers
Story (History), Early people and ancient stories (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science) / History
Developed to compliment the National Curriculum in England, this site is aimed at 7-11 year olds. It includes some great resources, including an interactive Anglo-Saxon virtual village.
Outdoor Pocket Guides
These fun and colourful pocket guides are great for kids to bring with them when out and about in nature. Titles include Have Fun with Fungi, Sow Some Wild Flowers and Tune into the Dawn Chorus.
Our Wetlands Heritage
This booklet explores Ireland's wetland wildlife - everything from dragonflies, butterflies, frogs and newts to wetland birds, right up to our largest carnivore - the otter.
It also the ecosystems that wetlands provide, the associated threats and measures to ensure wetland protection for the future.
Order A Copy Of Our Wetlands Heritage
Old Stone Walls
Local studies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Materials (Science) / History
In the twentieth century, concrete walls gradually replaced traditional stone walls. In the past, the building material for walls was stone, usually from local quarries. Download the Old Stone Walls information sheet below for more information.
Old Stone Walls Building A Stone Wall Using Lime Mortar
Old Stone Walls Plants
Old Stone Walls Information
Old Kilkenny Advertising
Let the children explore continuity and change over time by discussing these old ads and the difference in prices between now and then.
Old Kilkenny Advertising Bathroom Ad 1916
Old Kilkenny Advertising Car Ad 1947
Old Kilkenny Advertising Car Ads 1916
Old Kilkenny Advertising Christmas Ad From Kilkenny People 1947