Play Centres' Purpose

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32265, 7 April 1970, Page 2

Play Centres ' Purpose

Play centres in New Zealand have a two-fold purpose. Organised and supervised by the parents, they not only serve to develop self-con-findence and initiative in pre-school children but they can be of therapeutic benefit to young mothers.

Mr Jack Shallcrass, lecturer in education at Victoria University in Wellington, has said that the play centre movement, with its emphasis on parent involvement, is the only organisation in New Zealand at the moment which is doing anything to alleviate the problem of suburban neurosis.

Before they married, young women bad no idea of the loneliness and the stress living in a suburban house with pre-school children could impose on them, said Mr B. G. Wilson, publicity officer for the Canterbury Play Centre Association. “It comes a a great shock to them, and this neurosis, which seems to be spreading, is responsible for young housewives taking tranquiliaers and even being admitted to mental hospitals,” he said yesterday.

Play centres can give mothers the confidence they lose when they are home all day coping with the tremendous demands of young children, the president of the Canterbury association (Mrs Ailsa Densem) believes. They give young women an introduction to a group and a sense of belonging, especially in a new housing area where mothers of small Children often feel isolated. Through play centres, they get to know women with similar interests and discussion groups further friendships beyond the superficial stage. “Home is a lonely place sometimes, and belonging to a committee can give women an impetus to get out on a regular basis,” said Mrs Den sem. “The ordinary mother in the play centre movement is expected to contribute. If the roll at the centre is 30 (the maximum number of children allowed), a mother can expect to take her turn assisting the supervisor twice a term.” More Confidence Actually working with children and watching a trained supervisor’s reaction to their moods gave mothers more confidence in dealing with their children at home, she said.

“For example, the problem of aggression in children causes many parents undue anxiety. Children need to get rid of anger and frustration. At a play centre, the mother can see how the sup ervisor deals with this in a calm manner, looking for the causes and not using counter-aggression by smacking.”

Mr Wilson, who is the beadmaster of a Christchurch school, added: “This follows the sound educational principle of learning by doing.” Because they were organised and run by the parents, with minimal Government control, play centres gave women the chance to accept responsibility, make decisions, and develop as individuals, Mr Wilson and Mrs Densem said. “A lot of young married women lack confidence in making decisions. So many New Zealanders feel that, If you disagree, nobody will like you, and this is why so many people become mere cabbages, afraid to express an opinion—if they have one at all,” said Mr Wilson. Vital Decision* “Those working for play centres make real and vital decisions, and everyone put* in ideas. The parents employ staff, decide how the money will be spent, make a roster of helpers, and generally run the centre.” Some parents, on the other hand, took their children to play centres two dr three times a week simply for a respite. “But even two hours and * half without the emotional give and take with thei: children is a refreshez period. Mothers can then take up the reins again, strengthened,” said Mrs Densem.

As a schoolteacher, Mr Wilson speaks highly of the later advantages of preschool education. It taught children the ability to mix with others, which helped them fit in quickly with school routine, and the free choice of activity at play centres developed initiative in making decisions and amusing themselves, he said. This week is play centre publicity week in Christchurch, and many activities have been arranged to help bring the movement’s work to the attention of the public. Play centres provide children with stimulus and opportunity for adventure and imagination. Here, children choose outdoor play.