PARENTS’ PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26367, 23 January 1947, Page 6

PARENTS’ PROBLEMS

UPBRINGING OF CHILDREN ADDRESS BY PROF. A. G. STRONG The importance of developing the social aspect of home science training was emphasised by Professor A G. Strong in an address at a function given bv the Dunedin branch of the New Zealand Home Science Alum- ’ nae Association last night, when visiting delegates were welcomed to the Alumnae refresher course, which will open to-day. Professor Strong said that after studying the subject of delinquent children she had gone to America to study the causes of certain child-be-haviour and had found that the fault often lay in the mother’s influence. Motherhood, she said, meant not only giving birth to a child, but also guiding a child to maturity. - Many mothers, Professor Strong continued, were too inclined to be over-sentimental with their children, to indulge their whims and to neglect to mix logic with sentiment. The result was that when they grew up they lacked individuality, independence and self-reliance. Children had to be taught to develop such characteristics as co-operatio'n and tolerance, to have pliability in adapting themselves to varying sets of circumstances and. to work under authority Such characteristics. Professor Strong pointed out, were not hereditary; but were acquired through example and teaching. “Because the child spends a large part of its formative years with the teacher, it is important that the latter should follow out the' development of these qualities and instil .into the child social instincts and a willingness to accept the responsibility for its own actions” Professor Strong said She wished it was possible to have a nursery school in connection with the School of Home Science, as she considered the study of child behaviour and development a necessary and important part of the home science stu. dents’ training. The guests were welcomed by Miss A. A. Bowbyes„ president of the Dunedin branch of the Alumnae, and Mr J. C. H. Somerville, on behalf of the Otago University Council: