A Northland Play Centre Tour

Te Ao Hou, March 1962, Page 19

Young children learn through playing, and it is important that they should have suitable equipment, the chance to play in groups, and kindly, understanding people to supervise their play. When a community wishes to provide its children with a play centre where these things are available, the N.Z. Play Centre Association helps them to get started, and trains mothers who are interested to act as supervisers. In a later issue of Te Ao Hou we will be publishing an account of the facilities which are necessary and the help which is available. Meanwhile, here is the account of a trip which Mrs Andrews, an official in the N.Z. Play Centre Association, made to certain parts of Northland to discuss play centres with parents. A Northland Play Centre Tour by Gwen Andrews The New Zealand Play Centre Association hopes to assist in the establishment of play centres in Maori country areas and this tour was our first attempt to visit people, talk to them and arouse their interest. My thoughts at this time are perhaps irrelevant, but may be of interest. I had no expectations of failure or success but determined to keep an open mind. My knowledge of the Maori people was very little, I was English and a foreigner, so it could be understood if I felt apprehension. Who was I to be visiting groups unknown to me and suggesting a new way of life for their pre-school children? To talk and enthuse about it was one thing, to be actually doing it quite a different story. And so to my welcome from the Maori people; such warmth and friendliness I had not dreamt about. My first visit among them will always remain very special in my thoughts.