KINDERGARTEN WORK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16741, 23 December 1914, Page 11

KINDERGARTEN WORK.

EXHIBITION AT “SUNBEAM” SOHOOLR M. ’ An exhibition of kindergarten students’ and pupils’ work was held at the “ Sunbeam ” Kindergarten Sobool»’oom on Friday afternoon. The work exhibited was the combination of the three free creche and kindergarten schools established three years ago in Christchurch. Few could' fail to be interested in the specimens of work shown in Montessori and Froebel methods. To illustrate to the uninitiated a faw sections of the work the students of each of the three schools wore given a subject to work out in such a manner as it presents itself to her mind. For instance, there was a series of crayon pictures illustrating the “Three Bears” and “Jack and Jill.” No two pictures were alike in their treatment, and each series gave a perfect interpretation of the subjects given. Other studies comprised work in dolls’ houses . with complete seta of furniture frons attic to basement, all made of pieces of cardboard painted and decorated according to the student’s fancy. There was also matchbox building, plasticine and paper work, and straw mat and bag making. The visitors were surprised when they were told that none of tho children exoeed five years; they begin their kindergarten dareers at three years. The children axe taught to make houses, wheelbarrows, pigeon-houses, and dog-kennels out of ordinary brown paper, and instead of paint crayon work is introduced. In coloured paper the tiny fingers are taught to tear into Bhape trees, leaves and flowers which are afterwards pasted into books made by their teachers. Some of the small pupils also are no mean modellers in plasticine. There were to be noted excellent forms of “ Peter Rabbit,” “ Little Miss Muff et,” and a somewhat mammoth spider, also models of flowers gathered from the pupils’ gaidens and in walks with their teachers. Object lessons, however are not the only work the children enjoy. They have action songs and games to music which help to train the small voices) and tune the little ear to sweet melody. The melody is not the principal aim to be attained in the action songs. The small boys learn the meaning of courteous behaviour to their little girl partners. All this; training is done by women who have the truo mother’s instinct and love to instil into the budding minds the beauties of Nature and the real and natural use of hands and eyes. The Christchurch Free Kindergarten Sohools aro fortunate indeed to have Miss Hull as their chief, trainer, together with valuable assistance given willingly and ungrudgingly by Miss Inkpen ; of the Normal College The ' exhibition, taken all round, reflected the greatest credit on teachers and pupils alike.