HANDCRAFT WORK

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 62, 6 December 1930, Page 25

HANDCRAFT WORK

Exhibition and Sale CHILDREN’S TALENTS An exhibition arid sale of the handwork done by children in the special classes in Wellington was held yesterday afternoon in the Lyceum Club rooms, which was opened by Mr. Forsyth, chairman of the Education Board. Mrs. J. U. Andersen, a member of the After Care Association, presided and introduced Mr. Forsyth and Professor G°Mr. Forsyth commended the work of these classes to the public, saying that those children with perhaps fewer talents needed as much care and fostering as others, so that those talents they do possess may be developed to the best advantage. There were about 80 pupils in the classes around Wellington and much good work was being done by the teachers. Al! teaching was strenuous but this particular teaching called for special patience and forebearance ami they were lucky to have teachers with these qualities. He hoped many would visit the exhibition and see just what work was being done by these children. Profesor Gould joined in congratulating the teachers and pupils on their work. There were, he said, different kinds of intelligence and we were apt to think that the intelligence which handles words was the most important, but the intelligence which handles concrete, things was, he thought, of even more importance. During the decade since the war study of European countries seemed to show that industrial stability was closely parallel to the education of the masses. That meant not higher education but training of every child in whatever he was able to do. Schools for normal and super normals were going to benefit immensely by what was done in these classes. It should be remembered that Madame Montessori had built up her method by the teaching required for just such children as these. The exhibition was attended by a number of visitors, among whom were Miss Valentine, supervisor of special classes, and Miss Irvine Smith, of the Training College. The work comprised all kinds of wooden toys, basket work trays, dolls, prams, cradles, etc., mats, paper work and other hand work of various'kinds, showing much ingenuity and skill.