Scotland’s biggest teaching union has launched a book to welcome young children who are new to Scotland.
Mochara Goes to Nursery is an extension of the EIS union’s existing for new arrivals to Scotland and features a new story specifically written for pre-school children.
The book follows the eponymous character, who is nervous as she arrives in Scotland and gets ready for her first day in nursery. The story focuses on the warm welcome she receives from nursery staff and her new friends as she navigates her new surroundings.
Welcoming school pupils from overseas
The book is available in eight languages, with the English text sitting alongside one of the other languages in each version. This is to help parents and children to explore Mochara’s adventures together.
The books were launched yesterday during an event at Whinhill Primary School in Greenock, Inverclyde, to mark World Book Day.
EIS ex-president Paula McEwan, a primary teacher in Inverclyde, said: “Early years learning lays the foundations of how our children relate to, understand and accept others. Mochara Goes to Nursery promotes that acceptance, encourages empathy and has equality, diversity and inclusion writ large in an age- and stage-appropriate way.
“What better message to send to our youngest and - for some - our most vulnerable learners, as they begin their learning journey in Scotland?”
‘Building a welcoming culture’
Whinhill headteacher Liz Ruddy said: “We understand that schools are at the heart of their community and we have a powerful role in building a welcoming culture, and ensuring that families seeking sanctuary are effectively supported.
“Whinhill is a place of safety for those fleeing conflict or seeking asylum, and a place where they can thrive.”
She added: “Mochara Goes to Nursery is a welcome resource to support our work. It celebrates the youngest members of our school and nursery family, and will ensure that our youngest children and their families will feel safe and welcome.”
One nursery pupil said: “I liked that Mochara felt welcome at nursery and thought it was nice that she wasn’t afraid at the end of the story.”
A secondary student said: “Mochara could be inspiring as she shows the kids how it is to move country and start over.”
A video of is on the EIS website.
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