CHILD WELFARE

Evening Star, Issue 19855, 2 May 1928, Page 5

CHILD WELFARE

FREE KINDERGARTEN ASSOCIATION SUCCESSFUL YEAR RECORDED “ The citizens of _ Dunedin owe a great debt of gratitude to the I'i'eie Kindergarten Association for the work it has done in the interests of young; children,” said tho mayor (Mr W. B. Taverner) at tho thirty-eighth annual meeting of tho association, held in tho Town Hall yesterday afternoon. “I think that there is every cause for congratulation in that tho work of tho association is not only advancing, but advancing at a very rapid rate. The reports from tho various kindergartens indicate that the energy displayed in forming those associations is being continued. Tho children of to-day count much more than they used to, and this 'speaks well for the future. The difference between the child that has had care and training in kindergarten and the one who has not must be evident to everyone. Tho balance-sheet shows that the receipts for the year amounted to £2,091 15s. Tho most outstanding feature of the financial statement is tho sum that tho association is called upon to expend in the way of salaries. This is considerably in excess of the Government capitat- i, which means that tho association has to make np a large amount. I think that tho association should endeavour to get the capitation allowance increased, and it would be well advised to make representations to Wellington with that end in view. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the divisional kindergartens and tho association on tho very excellent showing they have [nit up during the year.” (Applause.) In moving ilio Adoption of tho report and balance-sheet (already published), Mrs D. Phillips, the president, commented on the many signs of activity which had characterised tho past year's effort. . “Our local committees, fathers and mothers’ clubs have worked splendidly,” she said, “ and their help has been of great value to the council. We arc still fortunate in having Miss Dutton as supervisor. _ The deep personal interest she takes in the work of the children and students is most gratifying. We also thank the directors for the splendid and self-sacrificing manner in which they have carried out their duties. Mrs Mayer, our secretary and treasurer, also docs excellent work, never sparing herself to further tho interests of kindergarten. Under the auspices of the Union of Free Kindergarten of New Zealand a refresher course for principals and directors was held in Dunedin in Juno last. It was the first of its kind to be held in New Zealand. Representatives from Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland were present. Lectures were given on various subjects relating to tho child. These lectures proved of great value nob alone to tho principals and directors, but to all those interested in the development of the young mind. The Free Kindergarten Association maintains six schools in Dunedin, at which between 300 and 400 children under school age are educated and trained in habits of punctuality, cleanliness, and truthfulness, and are encouraged to cooperate willingly in work and play. Tho association, besides being educational, is largely a child welfare organisation, It welcomes the advent of a child brought up on sound, healthgiving principles, as .it feels that so long as the child has a healthy body the work of the school lies in the direction of training and developing the mind, so that by the time the child reaches public school age it is bodily and mentally fit to cope with the demands to be made upon it. Mothers and fathers’ clubs play an important part in kindergarten life. They bring school into touch with the home, enabling parents and teachers to meek, so that tho aims and ideals of kindergarten may bo totter understood. Moreover, this home spirit is carried into the kindergarten itself, which is a continuation and expansion of home life. The same purpose which should direct the nursery should direct the garden of children, its songs, its games, and its stories. Mothers as a rule have not tho time, nor, what is of still greater importance, tho training necessary for tho carrying out of this playful work. They may continue it at home, but they cannot do it entirely. At the kindergarten the child comes in contact with children from other homes, and learns the lessons of unselfishness and the love of others. ‘ It is through play,’ says Professor Joseph Payne, ‘that the child begins to recognise moral relations, to feel that he cannot live for himself alone, that he is a member of a community whose rights he must acknowledge if his own aro to ha acknowledged.* Xha kinder-

garfcen takes the cliikl rcn_ away from Rome for only a few hours in the morning and places them under the guidance of trained women. This temporary absence! should only add to the delightful excitement of returning, and so ho in itself a Frobollian_ means for helping the child to realise its love lor honre and mother,” (Applause.) Tho Hon. G. M. Thomson seconded the motion. Ho referred to the paramount importance of child wcllaro and briefly reviewed tho activities of the association and tho success that had attended its efforts. Tho report was adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were reelected for the ensuing year:—President, Mrs D. Phillips; vice-presidents —Mesdanies Hutchison, Goo. Maclean, R. A. Ewing, and Miss Scott; secretary and treasurer, Mrs Mayer; Ron, auditor, Air H. Brasch; council—Lady Allen, Lady Ross, Mesdanies Batham, Bricked, Bundle, Cameron, J. B. CalJan, Evans, Garth Callaway, Gilkison. J. R. Glendining, E._ Halsted, .1. A. Hanan, R. Hudson, Kelsey, Lough, J. Mollison, AY. H. Reynolds, WaddcllSmith, T. K. Sidey, Solomon, Jack Shand, Taverner, E. Theoniin, Ulrich, Wright, Miss Ulrich. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the meeting.