Japanese “Experience Unit”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30570, 13 October 1964, Page 18

Japanese “Experience Unit”

About 2000 primary school children in Christchurch yesterday visited a modest though interesting display of things Japanese, organised by the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. It is at present being taken round primary schools in the city. According to Mr G„ J. Price, a lecturer in education at the Christchurch Teachers’ College, the display was col-

lected as a result of requests by teachers for information about Japan which could be of interest to children while attention was focused on that country through the Olympic Games. He said that rather than a display, a better term might be an “experience unit.” “Instead of looking at things as in a museum, here they can put on Japanese clothes,

handle Japanese swords, taste the traditional green tea and listen to the language and music of Japan.” And as Mr Price was talking, groups of children at the Christchurch South Intermediate School seemed to be fascinated doing all these things. 'i'he “experience unit” was not intended just as a display, but through handling, touching, tasting, and listening to things Japanese it was hoped that classroom lessons on Japan would be made more meaningful and real to the children, he said. Mr Price said assistance in assembling the unit had been provided by the Embassy of Japan, the honorary consul for Japan in Christchurch, the Canterbury Museum, the Japan Society of Canterbury and various private individuals.