USE OF PUPPETS IN NURSERIES

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27641, 23 April 1955, Page 2

USE OF PUPPETS IN NURSERIES

DEMONSTRATION AT PLAY CENTRE MEETING A talk and demonstration on the use of puppets was given at the Kindergarten Training College to delegates attending the refresher course of the Christchurch Nursery Play Centres’ Association. Delegates were welcomed by Mrs F. E. Burrell, president of the Christchurch Free Kindergarten Association. Miss R. Wilkie, principal of the Kindergarten Training College, spoke on the value of puppets in furthering the development of pre-school children. Several puppet plays were presented by Mrs Tracey and Miss A. Atkinson. Dr. Helen Field, president of the Federation of Nursery Play Centres, and president of the Christchurch association, spoke at a luncheon to conclude the course. Dr. Field said: “I think you have found this course strenuous and solid, and I hope interesting and intellectually appetising. “The continued usefulness of the nurserv play centre to the children of New Zealand depends upon the steady development of the service and, in particular, on continued learning by the mothers taking part in it, so that they are able to raise the standard of their service in the centre. This means a higher level of mothering in their own homes.”

> Special guests who attended the • luncheon included Mrs Burrell, Mrs I. • Shepard, secretary of the Christchurch • Free Kindergarten Association, Professor Marguerite Burnham, and Miss , J. Horner, matron of Karitane Hos- . pital.

Mrs Farrell, on behalf of the delegates, thanked members of the central committee for arranging a helpful and stimulating refresher course.

Mrs J. L. Pearson presided at the annual meeting of the North Shirley sub-branch of the Plunket Society, and welcomed Mrs J. R. McGillivray from the Central branch of the society. The report on the year’s work showed a full and active year, and a good balance sheet The election of officers resulted: Patron, Mrs H. E. Stevenson; president, Mrs H. R. Coster; secretary, Mrs P. C. Venter; treasurer, Mrs D. Glanville; vice-presidents, Mesdames J. L. Pearson, P. G. Scoular, K. Barke and J. H. Sutton; committee, Mesdames Mason, Duff, Mitchell, Kandy, Beckwith, Armstrong, Noble, Harrison, Fisher, Barker, Linton and Brown; advisory board, Dr. D. I. Chisholm, Dr. R. G. Mathieson, and Mr M. Connelly; publicity officers, Mesdames Barke and Mitchell.