FREE KINDERGARTEN.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18970, 7 April 1927, Page 5

FREE KINDERGARTEN.

| ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEETING. Approximately 2*> women attended the" annual meeting of vhe Cbristchurch. Freo Kindergarten Association, beia in the Jrflicw Hal! yesterday afternoon.. Mrs H. T Tlmcker i^ff ded The Mayor (Mr J. K. Archer) and Mrs Archer were among those present, Mfegardini? the Health or the 30J children attending kindergarten, tue report stated that as a whole it good Tlie average attendance, always difficult with such young children, was as good as usual, and, with the exception of Phillipstown, roll numbers hare had a rising tendency. The .local committees, to whom the Association was indebted for raising the current expenses incurred in maintaining the nve schools, had a busy year. It was tue goal of Richmond, Selwyn, and Sydenham to build a school of their own. The report referred to the Domimpn Kindergarten Conference, held in « eilington, Daffodil Day, a hospital fete, local committees, the work of the president, treasurer, the lady principal, and the Press. Details of work done in the free kindergartens of Ricttmoiia, Sydenham, Selwyn, Sunbeam, ami Phillipstown were also included m tne report. Officers elected fo r the ensuing year were:—Patron: Her Excellency kady Alice Fergusson; president: Mrs If. jJ Thacker; vice-presidents; Laay* Wigram and Mesdames C. M. QHmer, C. B. Rhodes, T. E. Taylor, and A. Peppier, and Miss Tabart; secretary: Mrs A. Peppier; hon. organising secretary: Miss Tabart; hon. treasurer: Mi's K Hadfield; collector: Mrs Gunson; executive: Mesdames T. E. Taylor, Williams, J. R. Evans, C, Stringer, Williamson, Peppier, Peverill, Patterson, and T. C. Aschman, »Jis3 hj, V. Tabart, and Miss Hull; advisory- board: Messrs A. W Jamieson, C M. OHivier, »• Peverill, Ponnington, and Farr; hon. solicitors: Messrs Cuningham and Taylor, and S. Salter. Misses. Edna HorreH, Moira Martin, and Gretch Marsden were successful in passing their examinations. Miaa.Martin had since been appointed assistant at Selwyn Kindergarten, Miss Mnrsoen had opened a private kindergarten, and Miss Horrell intended training to become a Karitane nurse, I

<; The claims of the children are equal to the claims of the adults in a hoime, deolared Professor Shelley, in the course of an address to the meeting. Speaking of kindergartens, he said that the most scientific methods of education were employed in these schools for little children of tender years, The pre-school age—up to five years old —was a very important time In the lives of the little children, he said. And 'n the kindergartens thess little ones received just what they needed most —the unhampered increments, the games, educational toys, and social interests, Musical items were enjoyed, after a dainty tea had been served.