THE KINEMA AND THE CHILD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4471, 12 February 1917, Page 3

THE KINEMA AND THE CHILD.

EDUCATION BOARD SETS UP A COMMITTEE.

The Wellington, Petone, ami Hutt members of the Wellington Education Board have been appointed a committee to inquire into the kinema in its relation to the education of children. This is an important and progressive step that should interest all parents, particularly those who make a practice of attending the moving picture shows It is known that the picture theatres are very largely attended by children, and realising in it a powerful influence it is desired to seek ways and means whereby the programmes might be made of greater educative value to juvenile patrons. In the United States the kinema is largely used in the schoolroom to convey “'at first hand” that which is at times more or less difficult to describe to children in words. The pictures make a direct appeal to their imagination, and rivet their attention _on the subject being dealt with, making the task of explaining and understanding a very simple one. On account of the cost involved, such a system is "hardly possible in Wellington at present,’but it i s thought that the public theatres might.include more educative pictures in their programmes than is customary, and even study public interest sufficiently to submit whole programmes suitable for children.