FREE KINDERGARTEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18783, 9 February 1923, Page 7

FREE KINDERGARTEN

ESTABLISHED AT KAIKORAI, Owing to the inclemency of the weather there was only a small attendance at tho meeting of those interested in the freo kindergarten, which will be opened on Mon* day morning next, in the sub-primary department of the Kaikorai Presbyterian Sunday School, Chapel street. Mr W. C. Allnutt, who presided, said that ho was Tory glad indeed that a kindergarten was being established in the Kaixorai district, as no fully realised the valtiable work which was done among the little children. The kindergartens were gradually becoming part of the educational system of the dominion. Children who spent their early' years in a kindergarten benefited considerably by the training they received, and, on reaching the public schools, they very readily adapted themselves to tho new conditions and entered into their work with enthusiasm. Ha felt confident that the new kindergarten in Kaikorai would bo a success, and would receive tho hearty support of tho parents. Mi»s Alexander, president of the Ereo Kindergartens’ Association, regretted that the wet weather was responsible for such a small attendance, as tne supporters _of the kindergartens wore anxious to bring before tho parents of Kaikorai the advantages which they offered. At present there were five kindergartens under the control of tho association, and it was extremely gratifying to see tho work spreading. Kindergartens were a kind of nursery; children between the ages of three and five being admitted. The kindergartens relieved tho mothers of a little of their arduous duties and they knew that their children were being well eared for. When a child entered a kindergarten ho entered a little world of his own- and, when he had over-, como his first shyness, he regarded the teacher as a kind of mother. Children misbehaved because they had nothing to do, but if they entered a kindergarten the association with (ho other children and the habits of neatness, courtesy, and consideration of others which they learnt made a great improvement in their behaviour. In the kindergartens they did not teach Uie rudiments of reading, writing, and arithmetic, but the three K’s of their instruction were regard for property, respect) for men, and reverence for God. Between (.he .ages of three to five was a most impressionable period in the life of a child, and the training and habits formed during that time had a. .far-reaching effect on' character. The kindergarten’.;, continued Miss Alexander, were entirely undenominational, and (he religion cf tho teachers was not inquired into. The teachers had to produce a certificate of health, to have reached a certain standard of education, and to have the proper temperament for such work. Tho Free Kindergartens’ Association’s three sources of income were —tho Government capitation, annual subscriptions from business firms and private persons, and money derived from bazaars, entertainments, etc. The Government paid ah annual subsidy of £3 2s 6d for each child on the average attendance; the association paid ijc 10s for each child. So it was essential that tho children attend as regularly as possible. There should be no difficulty in supporting tho kindergarten at, Kaikorai, as the necessary money could easily he raised. She hoped (hat. on tho opening day the school would he overflowing with children. —(Applause.) Miss Dutton) who spoke on similar lines, said that the aim of the kindergartens was to make the children happy. Tho work of the teachers was most, important, as thev were laying the foundations of tho children’s characters. They loved their work, and consequently they put their best into it. Miss Dutton detailed the work carried out. and (he methods adopted In training the children. It was very gratifying to receive such compliments as that paid by air Allnutt, as a great number of people considered that kindergartens were unnecessary. The teachers were very glad to find their efforts were appreciated. • Miss Macdonald Would take charge of tho - Kat-orai kindergarten, and she would mako it a success.—(Applause.) . In reply to a question. Miss Alexander explained that tho association endeavouredto secure Sunday school schoolrooms for tlie kindergartens, and they had never been refused the use of a room. The association had approached the Committee of Management of the Kaikorai Presbyterian Church, which had readily granted th© use of a room. The meeting closed with votes of thank* to the speakers and to the chairman.