Learning “How To Get Along With People”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29008, 24 September 1959, Page 2

Learning “How To Get Along With People”

How many times in business and social life, one person, when measuring up the success of another, will regretfully remark: “There is no doubt that he is a conscientious worker but it is too bad he does not know how to get along with people?”

Getting along with people and handling human relationships can be one of the greatest assets in the career of a man or a woman, outweighing brains or skill on the job. At a wealth conference in England a few years ago on industrial relations that was emphasised by Prince Phillip, under whose personal leadership the conference was conducted, and by several great executives in their addresses.

The importance of learning early in life how to get along with people was discussed recently by Mrs A. F. Johnson, president of the Christchurch Free Kindergarten Association, reporting on the expansion and progress of kindergarten life in the city.

Far-Reaching Effects

“Entering school is an important step in the development of every child. He can be prepared for it in kindergarten and the adequacy of that preparation can have far-reaching consequences,” she said. Once he was established in the happy, active atmosphere of a kindergarten a child began to learn how to get along with people outside the family circle. This was an important step because the adjustment problems of a child beginning school were problems in social relationships rather than problems in learning formal skills, she said. Even before a child was eligible to enter kindergarten, mothers were invited to bring them to some sessions as a sort of orientation exercise. These pre-entry groups had proved most successful. As a child watched other children at work and play he gradually became accustomed to the kindergarten atmosphere. Parents were encouraged to attend with the child until he was ready to remain for a period without them. Besides this encouragement of parents to attend pre-entry groups, kindergartens were often closed on a week-day and opened on a Saturday so that fathers could attend a session. Observing their children at play with others, they often learned something about their own children's make-up, Mrs Johnson said. This could lead to a greater understanding within the family circle of behaviour problems which needed to be solved at this stage of a child’s development. Parents, too, frequently obtained a great deal of support from one another through kindergarten contact and human relationships were strengthened as the teacher gradually interpreted the functions of the kindergartens to the family. 31 Kindergartens

Keeping in line with modern developments in child care, the 62 trained teachers of the Christ church association who direct the work of the 31 kindergartens of the area meet regularly to discuss ways of improving the service.

With the opening of the Opawa-St. Martins kindergarten this year the association achieved its thirty-first fully-equipped kindergarten. Four of these are in temporary accommodation. By the time two new buildings are completed at Fendalton and Lyttelton—it is hoped by the end of the year—29 out of the 31 will be in their own premises especially built as kindergartens. But there are many more children whose parents would like them to attend kindergarten than can be accommodated at presen’. Almost as many are on waiting lists as the 2500 children who are enrolled and there are numbers living in the rapidly-growing new housing areas where there is no provision for kindergartens. The association watched population trends carefully, Mrs Johnson said. Plans for next year included kindergartens in Hornby, Burwood and Kendal street. A section had been obtained at Wainoni for a future kindergarten and it was hoped to obtain one in the Northcote area. Hei Hei was an area where a keen committee was working towards a kindergarten, having already purchased a section. In this area there were 54 children in one street under the age of five. Mrs Johnson said it is up to the committee, formed in each area where a kindergarten was needed, to raise one-third of the building costs. The Government then would provide two-thirds ol the money required. The money which the committee must raise was usually between £lBOO and £2OOO.

Amalgamation One of the biggest voluntary organisations in the city, the Free Kindergarten Association, includes 35 district committees. This year there are plans for greater extension for it is the wish of the Department of Education that there should be amalgamation of associations to take in a greater area. Rangiora and Hokitika have already joined. Soon Greymouth will be included and the new association will become the Canterbury-Westland Free Kindergarten Association. Kindergartens in isolated areas will benefit from the new arrangement by having representation on a large association which will act for them in matters concerning the Department of Education. They will also receive help with staffing from Christchurch and be kept in close touch by visits of kindergarten supervisors to their areas. An important point emphasised by the secretary of the Christchurch association was that money raised by individual areas wc'ild be spent in those areas. Great effort is needed by many

voluntary workers. Many are parents of present and past kindergarten pupils who work hard to raise funds for the expanding building programme, the renewal of worn facilities and the maintenance of the kindergartens and the kindergarten training college.

Tomorrow is daffodil day, the day set aside each year when the association appeals to the public for help with its administrative expenses. About 400 helpers will sell spring flowers at points around the city, as v'ell as homemade clothes, sweets and cakes at a stall in Cathedral square. In the vestibule of the Embassy theatre, day-old chicks will be sold and helpers will man a counter at 699 Colombo street, where handwork will be on sale. “In this world of uncertainties and insecurities, it is essential that today's children be given every advantage to face up to the complexity of modern living. Aside from the home, the basic training for good citizenship begins in the kindergarten,” said Mrs Johnson.