WHEN GIRLS LIKE WORK.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3334, 16 August 1926, Page 8

WHEN GIRLS LIKE WORK.

(By Miss A. M. K. Hitchcock.)

The idea which lies at the foot of all successful teaching is that, given certain conditions, all girls—and boys as well -actually like work. Instead of trying to make pupils carry out certain tasks, indifferent to how unpleasant these tasks may be to them, the secret is really to render the work so that each person takes an active interest in it. There is the key.

The. system of “cramming” is all wrong. There is no need for it, in the first place, and after a short while it becomes as unpleasant to the average healthy girl as would a continued programme of meals of the same sort of food.

The obvious thing to do is to study

and discover just what aspects of subjects and also what subjects interest each child most, and to develop these pari icnlarly. I am a great believer in the social side of a school being made a real feature- of tbe children's lives. I am certain that one of the essential factors in the success of my own school is the lull social life that is arranged for its pupils. Tin's I advocate the more strongly, because of its power to till a child’s life with worthy interests.

Such plays as Milton’s ••Coinns.” for example, provide fascinating subjects for girls who have any fondness for amateur theatricals. It is a great thing to discover anything of this kind which the pupils can foster as their own. because once it is belonging to them and resting very largely on their own initiative and endeavor they will gladly put every bit of their energy and service into its furtherance. After all. 1 is. (he same with all human nature ■ what we take a pride m wo do well.

Another advantage of leaving a good deal to the girls themselves is that it breeds a spirit of indopen I mce, v. It ch can become a very line thing. More than ever before in onr history, there is the need for j ersonsi ini'aw.- ami fearless sc 1 Are]iar.ee 10-day. So much more depends on personality, and there is now such a poor chance for the person who is ready :c depend on others rather than on self !n a small vmv Mus can lm done : t

■-.too!, and n-.-i •• r small ir nay t.c, the old saying still holds good that "-Sow a habit, you reap a character.” •n. my own school we try to foster independence. All onr library, of which we arc very proud, has been bought by ourselves. Wo have never received outside subscriptions fur any of our own activities, not even for our spores fund. Wo raise money for such imrposes by onr amateur theatricals and so on —and the funds do not suffer, for we are as proud of our sports, for example. as of our books! Ju the modern school there should be every encouragement to take up games and exercise. There should he a fair division of work and play, the more because most games encourage the team spirit, and the will to "play the game.” I hose things are lolly as essential in •Be as is Irook-lore. Besides that, (here is the health side of the question to be considered. Girls of to-day, running about in gymnasium costumes, getting plenty of exercise and acquiring s 7 -ii| in snitablegirls’ sports, become far fitter and more healths than their grandmothers could ever have been.

The result is not onlv added grace and ability, but also an increased ability to work well, which is always tonset|iiem. upon sparkling health. I iliink there can he no manner of doubt i hat modern tendencies in dress, when eunlined by the bounds of good taste, ale very distinctly to the uoud. They are both healthful and helpful.