CHILD TRAINING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16904, 17 July 1918, Page 10

CHILD TRAINING.

■ Kindergarten methods, ■ whether begun by the mother in her own home or by the trained i teacher in school, are of inestimable value to the child, for character building is always made their principal aim and. object. perhaps mothers may not have been trained in kindergarten methods, but at least they can leara how to tell a story.. Anyone can read a story, but telling on<> i&rjiuch more, effective and much more . enjoyable' to the child. Every mother B|iould learn how to tell a story. Use. ?iimr own words and choose simple and forceful ones, ibare plot is interesting the tiny child, but many details should be supplied for the older boy and girl; they love them. Use direct discourse when possible. Be enthusiastic. Be dramatic ; After the story is finished, talk it; over freely with the children. Choose some stories which teach kindness to animals and. some which give training in morals or good habits, but never point the moral -.., I'A taste for the best literature can often b.e\ formed in early childhood through* a wise choice of stories. This is also true ofimusic. ' The.songs and music used in tbfe kindergarten' are always carefully selected by the kindergartener and should just as carefully selected for the home fey mothers. Allow your children to hear only the best. I Besides story-telling and music, there are also pictures. Those which interest the child must show action and movement. Pictures are helpful because they develop the imagination and arouse creative faculties. ...

Games also aid in the great work of character building. They help to develop self-expression and orginality and can also be used to teach self-helpfulness towards others. Through games children may be made to discover the evil effects of self-will and good resulting from self-control.