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Practice and Reflections Series no 9
The Foundation's summary of the publication
The scattered communities of the Western Isles of Scotland are
among the most physically isolated in Europe. For generations,
they have also had to battle to preserve their distinctive linguistic
and cultural traditions. The Western Isles Community Education
Project - which set out to show that pre-school education
prepares children for life and not only for school - built on the
experience, commitment and resourcefulness of local people. It
established an independent voice for young children and their
parents in the form of a network of playgroups that continues to
flourish. Through relating the history of the project, and giving
quotes from several mothers, this book gives a feel of the
communities and shows how attitudes changed and how the
confidence of mothers living in isolation was boosted - and the
resultant impact that these had on their children. We did it
ourselves - Sinn Fheia a rinn e relates how, if we persevere, we
can indeed do it ourselves.
Owner: David Mackay