EDUCATIONAL METHODS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 18

EDUCATIONAL METHODS.

Miss Sheila MacDonald’s Study. VISITING THE DOMINION. Although very voung, in her early twenties in fact, Miss Sheila MacDonald, youngest daughter of the British Prime Minister, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, who arrived in Christchurch this morning, is interested in things which generally absorb the minds of older and more experienced women. Her main interest is education and she is studying to be thoroughly equipped in this subject. Her visit here is mainly to view the scenery, of which she has heard much and also to visit old friends, but she welcomes the opportunity of seeing some of the aspects of education in this country. So far, however, she has made no plans. Miss MacDonald has spent the two years since she came down from Oxford, where she graduated 8.A., in inquiring into text books published for primary and secondary schools. Education, as Miss MacDonald views it, does not lie along the actual learning of the Three R’s, but rather in ( the way of affecting international relationships and the influence of history in teaching children a tolerant attitude towards other nations. “The women of England,” said Miss MacDonald, “are vitally interested in this subject and a number of both men and women of my own age are studying the same thing.” She pointed out that a complete understanding of child psychology was necessary.

Apart from her studies for educating the child mind Miss MacDonald said there was interesting work to be done in the education of the adult mind and in this direction she had done a considerable amount of club work. Her objective was to impart to clubs and evening classes the results of knowledgegleaned through her special studies. Attitude to World Peace.

Speaking of the attitude of the women of England for world peace, Miss MacDonald said that they could not see anything constructive at the moment except for the formation of a strong “women’s public opinion” in favour of peace. This seemed to be the most solid way of advance and as the women were united with this aim in view their opinion would undoubtedly weigh.

Miss MacDonald was enthusiastic about her visit to Australia. She had had an exceptionally interesting and happy time. The women there, she said, did not appear to be very politically minded and she had heard that this applied also to the women of New Zealand. “Perhaps,” she added with a smile, “ the fact that we had to fight hard for our vote and many other things has made us in England take a more driving interest in things political.”

~ W. ___...o_ runywm. The young visitor has a, particularly engaging manner and in spite of her rather serious-mindedness, has a merry twinkle in her clear brown eyes.

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