AUCKLAND KINDERGARTEN.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 177, 28 July 1888, Page 8

AUCKLAND KINDERGARTEN.

EFFECTS ON THE CHILDREN.

At the annual meeting of the subscribers to the Kindergarten on Wednesday evening a most interesting report was presented by Dr. Bond, the honorary medical attendant to the institution. In the course of this reporh ho says : — " This being the end of the first year of existence of the Jubilee Kindergarten, I have to congratulate the Committee upon the great success which ha 3 attended their efforts. Many children have been brought into wholesome and happy surroundings, who would otherwise undoubtedly have spent much of their time in far less favourable places, and perhaps amid demoralising scenes. There has been_ a very great improvement in the physical condition of those among the children who have attended regularly. Indeed, the change has been so marked between the pinched appearance and shy disposition which characterised many on their first being enrolled, and the chubby healthy appearance which they now exhibit, as to strike even a casual observer; and to those who have been watching the change from day to day, not only the outward contrast is very pleasant, but an equally striking change from the startled half-frightened demeanour at first presented, to the happy trusting dispositionnowmanifestcd, is also well marked. 11 The moral effect produced upon the children, although likely enough to be impaired by the conditions of their existence after leaving the Kindergarten, cannot fail to be, to a greater or less extent, permanently beneficial. An immediate result is observable in the fact that many of the children who at first used to come to the school dirty and untidy, now arrive cleaner and tidier. '■ Coincident with the physical and moral improvement has been a brightening of the intellectual faculties of the little ones— ior it is certain that their understandings are markedly quicker, and their memories more retentive. These improvements may be attributed to two chief causes—(l) the wholesome quality and sufficient quantity and regularity of the meal which is furnished to the children at mid-day, and (2) the uniform and consistent kindness and gentleness of the teachers." As there are only four teachers to an average attendance of 70 or 80 children, Dv. Bond recommends that care be taken by the teachers to prevent their health giving way under the constant strain.