‘Real Little Chatterboxes’

Te Ao Hou, June 1965, Page 49

‘Real Little Chatterboxes’ Rather surprised at finding a little Maori boy so talkative, I mentioned it to his mother. She smiled, “Yes, Patrick's a real little chatterbox. I suppose it's because we've always made a point of talking to him and getting him to tell us about everything he sees.” Patrick is now making excellent progress at school. His younger brother started recently and is also doing well. The three smaller children in their turn are becoming “real little chatterboxes.” When the boys come home they are always full of news about what happened at school, and usually they bring home some treasured piece of work for their mother to admire. When Dad comes home they tell him about it all over again. After tea, Dad might read them a story while Mum is putting the little ones to bed. Both parents are actively interested in their children's education. Mum goes along to all the school functions. Dad is chairman of the school committee, even though the district is mostly Pakeha.