A KINDERGARTEN

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 60, Issue 4345, 18 October 1950, Page 5

A KINDERGARTEN

ADDRESS IN PAEROA

PROPOSED FORMATION

STATE SUBSIDY AVAILABLE

At a meeting held in the Centenary hall, Paeroa, on October 12, a small but interested audience was adjiressed by Miss Cawkwell, acting principal of the Auckland Kindergarten Association.

Mir W. Oldham, president of the Paeroa Kindergarten Committee, introduced Miss Cawkwell and expressed the hopes of his committee in being able to raise sufficient funds and interest in the town to open a free kindergarten.

Miss Cawkwell commenced her address by outlining the need and value to a child of a kindergarten. It was felt that the greatest benefit was derived by only children, those living at home with adults, those with older brothers and sisters and those in hospitals. Mothers could leave their children at a kindergarten while shoppink and; she felt that that was much to be preferred to dragging them round from shop to shop. Children attending kindergartens were not taught to read or write, said the speaker, .but being under five, were taught self-development and given an opportunity to develop along lines in which they were interested. Miss Cawkwell emphasised the difference between old time and modern kindergartens. When arriving at a modern kindergarten the children were now given a free choice of whatever they -Wished to do and were given no help whatsoever from the teacher. Control was exercised over them in so far as they are not permitted to proceed from one occupation to another without first of all tidying up all the mess after them. While inside they had to talk quietly and abide by the few rules and regulations laid down.

Play materials were carefully chosen and were safe, clay being preferred to plasticine. Painting and drawing materials were planned on a large scale in order to give the children a wider and freer movement of the hand as well as their imagination. No end of scrap material could be used such as empty cartons and cotton reels. Such were found to be of more value than any expensive equipment. Continuing Miss Cawkwell said that a kindergarten was invaluable in so far as it taught the children to share with one another and help each other in small ways such as putting away equipment. All kindergarten teachers were trained to give no help to the children and to refrain from the desire to help children hang up their coats and tie shoe laces or to put equipment away, thus helping to teach them independence. Miss Cawkwell continued by outlining a . typical morning in a kindergarten. The activities and occupations of the child were dealt with quite fully. During the rest period children were not expected to sleep although many did. It was looked upon as a period for the child to relax. The drinking of the free milk was made a time of social importance. A table was set with coloured mats and a vase of flowers and the children were allowed conversation in which the teacher joined. Music, books and stories for the children were all carefully chosen. Nothing was presented which might introduce fears to the child. Pictures in books had to be natural and not dressed up. Books by Marjorie Flack were highly recommended as being of a suitable type. s Steel furniture was preferred far kindergartens. It was found to be serviceable and durable besides being light and easy to handle.

The actual formation of a kindergarten was explained by Miss Cawkwell, who said she could only really speak from a city point of view. If a committee in a district decided to start a kindergarten, the first thing to do was'to raise a lot of money. In Auckland they found it was necessary to begin with at least £2OO. There was always a certain amount of expense in starting. A kindergarten was expected to run itself for the first three months as ’it took some time for Government subsidies to come forward. Next a hall bad Ito (be passed by a . Government inspector. Once a hall was obtained the committee had before it its biggest hurdle, that of finding trained staff. When the kindergarten was functioning with a trained teacher the Government would pay salaries and would also pay a trained assistant. The staff had to work a minimum of 24 hours a week with the children. Most kindergartens worked five mornings a week, two afternoons with the children on the waiting lists and filled in the other hours ,by mending equipment, visiting homes or being available for interviews.

Usually a mothers’ iclubi worked with the committee and was not looked upon as just a money raising club. Questions were asked Miss Cawkwell, who expressed her willingness to help in any way she could. One question put was whether a kindergarten was entirely free. Miss Cawkwell explained that while no definite fee was allowed to be charged mothers bringing children to a kindergarten usually made a donation and that money was greatly appreciated and went towards items such as buying equipment. Various ways of raising money were explained, fairs, stalls and raffles being amongst those suggested. At no time were the children exploited by performing in concerts or on parents days. All initial equipment was subsidised by the Government at the rate of £2 for £l. Any money spent after that would be subsidised at the rate of 13/4d in the £l. The teachers training course was for two years and was available for girls over 17 years of age and with three years secondary education. Country girls were paid £155 a year while training.

When asked how children were corrected for bad behaviour Miss Cawkwell explained that a good teacher seldom had any discipline trouble. Where a kindergarten was well equipped children were busy and at no time was a teacher permitted to smack a child. It was difficult to give any general advise on behaviour but teachers used their own discretion according to the situation. At the conclusion of the meeting suppet was served by members of the Paeroa Kindergarten Committee.