KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23203, 14 December 1940, Page 2

KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION

PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS Six. kindergarten students, who have completed two years of training and been successful in their examinations, were the guests of honour at a party given at Jellicoe Hall last night by the Kindergarten Association, and each was presented with her diploma by Mrs H. Ti J. Thacker, president of the association. The successful students were Misses Elizabeth Edith Barrett, Margaret Frances Butler, Hazel Winifred Donald, Kathleen Alice Jessop, Yvonne Lock, and Chisne Robinson. Prizes for excellence in daily records were presented by Miss D. Raster as follows:—Senior: Misses Barrett and Jessop (equal) 1, Miss Donald 3. Best nature study book: Miss Barrett. Junior: Miss Jean Macalister.

Miss D, Dolton, addressing the students. said that to be successful in their calling they must continue study —study of children, study of books, study of life. They must be systematically and carefully observant of individual children, they must correctly interpret what they observed, avoiding vague or "blanket” terms and they must be ready-to take appropriate action, being always mindful of the welfare of the child, and careful to give each child balanced care of body and mind. The tendency of various branches of education to confine themselves in watertight compartments was deprecated by Dr. H. E. Field, who pleaded

for closer linking up of the Plunket Society and the kindergartens and for closer co-ordination between kindergartens and preparatory and primary schools. Kindergarten work was last, he said, being recognised as a very important branch of education and better facilities were being provided. He praised the intelligent and critical in. terest shown by parents in kindergartens, and said that greater interest In education was always stimulated when demands were made upon the parents. An enjoyable programme included a piano solo played by Miss Noeline Sturgess, the screening of a-kindergarten film, a play-reading by the Graduates’ Club, and the singing of carols by the kindergarten staff.