The Problem Of The Backward Child; An Address To N.C.W.

Wanganui Chronicle, 30 June 1948, Page 7

The Problem Of The Backward Child; An Address To N.C.W.

A talk on backward and "problem” children was given by Miss K. Prendergast, of the Tawhero School. She gave an outline of the work done in her special class at school. She stated that in New Zealand, as far back as 1892, it was discovered that all children were not the same in the rate of progress in social adjustment. When the backward child was first singled out the idea at that lime was to keep them back in their classes. Later, it was decided there was need for special treatment for problem children and for those who could not make the grade. Nothing much was reailv done until about 1914, when there were special schools and special tests. The first school established was a residential for boys in the South Island. This was about 1918. Then came special classes in schools, children beinn- .aught by experts. In 1921 the first school class was set up in Wanganui, at what was then the Victoria Avenue School. Miss Baliantyne was the first supervisor. “A supervisor goes round every tewn in New Zealand and tests children who are considered backward,” said Miss Prendergast. The speaker pointed out that there is much more done abroad for such children than in this country. "It has been suggested that a clinic be set up for diagnosis of children, and some consider there is scope for testing of pre-school children,” she continued. “If the idea is carried out there will need to be a clinic in every town.” Regarding children in the special classes, Miss Prendergast said they were given things to do to make them feel superior. Many had an inferiority complex. “The main object is to kiwp them hapny and make them fee. they are not abnormal, and they really de make a social adjustment in the classes,” she said. “It has been the policy of the department to surround these children with the best accommodation.” Questions were invited and in reply to one put by a delegate the speakersaid the children were tested with different mental tests. To another ouestion the reply was that with the special attention teachers give them the children can pass on to secondary school and can do quite well. Concerning clinics, the speaker thought they should be apart from the mental hospitals. In thanking Miss Prendergast for her talk, Mrs Mac Lean said it. had given the Council a clearer idea of what the Federation of University Women were aiming at in a remit, which is to be considered by the branch at the next meeting. The remit from the Auckland branch is:

■The National Council of Women of New Zealand recommends that the work of the Psychiatric Clinic for Children, at present organised on a part-time basis by the Mental Hospitals Department, be extended, and urges that greater publicity be given the work of the clinic among the heads of primary and secondary schools in the province, in order that sub-normal and problem children, or those suffering from the effects of a bad home or environment, shall have every chance of examination and treatment, thus avoiding, where possible, serious psychological trouble, and. possibly, contact with the police court. Further as an alternative to the present method, the Council suggests that such a clinic should be organised by the larger hospitals or directly by the Education Department.’’