A SERIOUS PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 19

A SERIOUS PROBLEM

ENTERTAINING THE TODDLER

"Send my baby to school at that age!" Such an exclamation almost inevitably follows the implication that the toddler of two and upwards, who is becoming "oh, such a naughty child," or a day-dreamer, would be happier and healthier, if put in charge of one trained in kindergarten lore and child psychology, along with children of his own age, states a Sydney writer.

The mother may say, "I shall get a young girl to look after him and take him out."

Now think that over. The hired girl may belong to a lower social group. Her mentality, although alert, may be faulty through her home training, auguring ill for the development, physically and mentally, of the child in her c' arge.

The mother's sole responsibility does not end with feeding and clothing the child: keeping him quiet; and stopping him from being naughty, and a nuisance. The child's future personality is primarily influenced by those around' him, and the guiding of a child under four is a tremendous responsibility.

How much better it is to have him in the hands of a person thoroughly trained to understand and overcome his every wayward whim, gradually developing his better traits and habits.

A hired girl is usually from a family with a different outlook on life, and, though she may be kind and fond of children, she would nevertheless lack the training that enables the.kindergarten teacher to handle the growing child.

"But I cannot afford a trained person," argues the mother.

Well, if there is a nursery school run by a properly-trained kindergarten teacher nearby, how lucky she will be.. Even with the fees at £3 3s per term, and probably less, the cost would be about 5s weekly, really much less than would be paid to the hired girl.

There is generally a small community o£ children about the one age in the same neighbourhood. One of the mothers may be able to provide ' a shady garden adjoining a verandah, or a suitable room and lawn where the small people can congregate for the nursery school. The fees of the trained teacher will be shared, and each family be much more satisfied with the result. The child will be much happier mixing with playmates, and will learn what things are "done and what are not done in the circle he lives in. He will be kept to routine and trained in team-work.

Arrangements can also be made for the midday meal. The child, may take his lunch of sandwiches, made from wholemeal bread and butter and lettuce, .'tomatoes, cheese, dates, marmite, etc.; a piece of sponge-cake, and a bottle of milk. He may be able to have his lunch or dinner at home. ;

The !very little man may only have a half-day at the nursery school, during which time he will not be having "lessons," but will be taught how to play and how to mix with other children. He will have his morning rest as a matter of course.

He will be in happy company, under right handling, whilst at home, he would be getting into every conceivable bit of mischief. Through not bei „• taught to use his toys the right way, and because" he lacks companions of his own age, his behaviour would be making his mother worried and irritable.

And so the scales turn in favour of the discipline and guidance of a good nursery school, under a properlytrained kindergarten teaclier. :