SPECIAL CLASSES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1927, Page 7

SPECIAL CLASSES

TEACHERS' TRAINING COURSE

During the whole of this week an interesting gathering has teen taking place in the Teachers' Training College, Kelburn. This is the biennial conference of 'the teachers in charge of special classes throughout the Dominion. These classes provide a special form of education for those children who, from one cause or another, do not make satisfactory progress in the ordinary classrooms.

The work is comparatively new in New Zealand, and this is only the second occasion on which the small but enthusiastic band of pioneers has met to discuss the problems peculiar to their work, and to receive helpful advice from experts in psychology education, medicine, and physical culture. The four centres, Napier, Hastings, and Nelson, are. represented.

The conference, which is under the capable direction of Miss W. A. Valentine, supervisor of special classes, was opened on Monday morning by Mr. Strong . (Assistant-Director of Education), who welcomed the teachers and expressed the sympathy of the Department of Education with the work they were doing.

During the week every phase of special work has been dealt with. Dr. A. G. Paterson gave two interesting lectures on the medical aspect, and demonstrated the close connection between physical and mental well-being. Dr. Sutherland (of Victoria College) explained the changing attitude of psychology and the importance of instinct and emotion in child . life. The difficulties of correct speech and speech training were presented by Mr. J. M. Crawford

(of the Sumner School for the Deaf), and Mr. W. H. Gould, M.A., delivered a helpful address,on "The Importance of Habit Formation." Bach afternoon Miss Eileen Russell, L.A.8., gave the teachers instruction, in eurhythmies, showing how they can be used as both a physical ■ and mental exercise in the training of children.

- ,In addition to these lectures by experts, several interesting and instructive papers on the ordinary subjects of the curriculum were . read by the teachers. . ■

•An interesting visitor to the conference is Miss I. L. Hansen (of Akron, Ohio, TJ.S.A.). Miss Hansen is an expert in special class work, and has given invaluable assistance by her advice and demonstrations. Yesterday, the last day of the conference, was spent visiting special classes in the city, and to-day the teachers return to their phonies, filled with new ideas and imbued with fresh courage for their difficult work.