IT'S THE CHATTERBOXES WHODO WELL AT SCHOOL by ‘Rehutai’ I once stayed with a young Maori family in suburban Auckland. The first morning, their four-year-old son took me down to the local shops. All the way there and back he chattered about everything around him, so that by the time I returned I had been told all about who lived where, what they all did, what you could buy at each shop, what the doctor did when you went to see him, what savings banks were for, how you caught the bus into town, why men dug holes in the street, and a hundred and one other things.

‘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.

Too Busy to Help In another part of the country, seven-year-old Wiki is just home from school with a newsletter for her parents. Mum looks up from the stove. “Put it on the mantlepiece and get yourself changed. You can feed the fowls and get me some kumara.” Wiki then has to feed the little ones and put them to bed. After tea there are clothes to be ironed for school tomorrow. About eight o'clock she brings out her homework and settles down by the fire. “Mum, what are savings banks?” Wiki has to give a morning talk next day. “Don't they ever teach you anything at school? I'm too busy to tell you now.”

No Use Asking About School Work Her big brother gives Wiki a pitying look. He learned long ago it was no use asking Mum and Dad about school work. You were supposed to find these things out for your yourself. He offers her a scrap of information. “That's where you keep your money, if you got any.” Wiki writes it down. A savings bank is where you keep your money so it is safe. Satisfied, she puts her book away. So that's all a savings bank is, she thinks. Dad gets home from work about nine, has tea, and goes to bed to read Best Bets. He tells Wiki to wash his dishes. Wiki's talk is a dismal failure, and the teacher is cross with her. She says Wiki didn't prepare it properly. A week later the newsletter is still lying on the mantlepiece. Nobody has bothered to read it.

Some Points to Consider Wiki's home is a good one in most respects. But have any of these points got a familiar sound? ? Wiki's parents are always too busy to help her with homework. ? When she was younger, nobody gave her a great deal of help in learning how to talk. ? Almost the only time her parents talk to her is when they are telling her to do some job or other. ? She has given up trying to tell them about all the things that happen at school. They became impatient every time she tried.