Songs and rhymes – sgoil àraich, primary and secondary

Published 28/06/2023.  Last updated 29/06/2023

In this activity, children and young people use Gaelic songs and rhymes to help develop their fluency. They have an opportunity to create their own song, with the older children researching the Gaelic organisation, Fèisean nan Gàidheal.

Learning and singing songs and rhymes in Gaelic can help boost a child’s language and communication skills. The repetition of words and phrases can help children to acquire new vocabulary. Children’s engagement with Gaelic songs and rhymes also helps them understand different sounds, words and phrases. Using actions with songs and rhymes can help children remember words and phrases, which they can then use in other situations. Encourage them to learn and use new phrases. Have fun!

For children at nursery and P1

For children at P2/P3/P4

  • We all wash our hands often and as required. As we do so, we sing ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice to make sure that we wash our hands thoroughly and for the recommended time. Time yourself singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice. Sing some of your favourite Gaelic songs. As you do so, see if the songs are longer or shorter than singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice.
  • Make up your own Gaelic song that you could sing as you wash your hands. You can use the same tune as the ‘Happy Birthday’ song, or make up a tune of your own. Teach it to other members of the family in your home.
    There are songs to sing on a variety of topics on e-stòras at:
  • Select and learn one of these songs. Create a picture that tells the story of the song.
  • Perform the song for your family members in your home, pointing to the picture as you sing.

For children at P5/6/7

  • Listen and sing along to Gaelic songs you enjoy. Here are a collection of Gaelic songs you may enjoy learning and listening to at.
  • Become a song-writer. Choose a topic or select a familiar story you would like to turn into a Gaelic song. Think about the type of song it will be, slow with a steady rhythm or one that is more upbeat. What will it be about? How many verses will it have? Will it have a chorus to be repeated after each verse?
  • Choose a Gaelic artist you enjoy listening to and select a song they sing. Can you make up an additional verse to this song?
  • You may like to watch this series of programmes on BBC iPlayer that explore song writing in Gaelic and performance.

For young people at S1/S2/S3

  • Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the Gaelic Arts development agency, hosts a series of sessions with well-known Gaelic singers. The series is called Brìgh. You can take part in the sessions by registering.
  • Compose a Gaelic song. Decide on a title, how many verses it will have and if it will have a chorus. You may wish to record your song.
  • Fèisean na Gàidheal have celebrated 30 years of providing music workshops and other events across Scotland. Research this organisation and find out how this organisation supports Gaelic music, language and culture.
  • Create a fact-file on Fèisean nan Gàidheal using a format of your choice. This could be an information leaflet with a follow-up quiz, a poster or a power point.
  • Send your research to Fèisean nan Gàidheal as a way of thanking them for their contribution.
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Songs and rhymes – sgoil àraich, primary and secondary

Published 28/06/2023.  Last updated 29/06/2023

In this activity, children and young people use Gaelic songs and rhymes to help develop their fluency. They have an opportunity to create their own song, with the older children researching the Gaelic organisation, Fèisean nan Gàidheal.

Learning and singing songs and rhymes in Gaelic can help boost a child’s language and communication skills. The repetition of words and phrases can help children to acquire new vocabulary. Children’s engagement with Gaelic songs and rhymes also helps them understand different sounds, words and phrases. Using actions with songs and rhymes can help children remember words and phrases, which they can then use in other situations. Encourage them to learn and use new phrases. Have fun!

For children at nursery and P1

For children at P2/P3/P4

  • We all wash our hands often and as required. As we do so, we sing ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice to make sure that we wash our hands thoroughly and for the recommended time. Time yourself singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice. Sing some of your favourite Gaelic songs. As you do so, see if the songs are longer or shorter than singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice.
  • Make up your own Gaelic song that you could sing as you wash your hands. You can use the same tune as the ‘Happy Birthday’ song, or make up a tune of your own. Teach it to other members of the family in your home.
    There are songs to sing on a variety of topics on e-stòras at:
  • Select and learn one of these songs. Create a picture that tells the story of the song.
  • Perform the song for your family members in your home, pointing to the picture as you sing.

For children at P5/6/7

  • Listen and sing along to Gaelic songs you enjoy. Here are a collection of Gaelic songs you may enjoy learning and listening to at.
  • Become a song-writer. Choose a topic or select a familiar story you would like to turn into a Gaelic song. Think about the type of song it will be, slow with a steady rhythm or one that is more upbeat. What will it be about? How many verses will it have? Will it have a chorus to be repeated after each verse?
  • Choose a Gaelic artist you enjoy listening to and select a song they sing. Can you make up an additional verse to this song?
  • You may like to watch this series of programmes on BBC iPlayer that explore song writing in Gaelic and performance.

For young people at S1/S2/S3

  • Fèisean nan Gàidheal, the Gaelic Arts development agency, hosts a series of sessions with well-known Gaelic singers. The series is called Brìgh. You can take part in the sessions by registering.
  • Compose a Gaelic song. Decide on a title, how many verses it will have and if it will have a chorus. You may wish to record your song.
  • Fèisean na Gàidheal have celebrated 30 years of providing music workshops and other events across Scotland. Research this organisation and find out how this organisation supports Gaelic music, language and culture.
  • Create a fact-file on Fèisean nan Gàidheal using a format of your choice. This could be an information leaflet with a follow-up quiz, a poster or a power point.
  • Send your research to Fèisean nan Gàidheal as a way of thanking them for their contribution.
^ Back to top