HOME AND SCHOOL

Chronicle (Levin), 12 July 1946, Page 2

HOME AND SCHOOL

OTAKI ASSOCIATION MEETS > At the usual monthly meeting of i the Otaki Home and School ' Association Mr. W. Calwell presided over a fair attendance. The even- . ing took the form of a questionnaire,. ; based on matters in which both i parents and teachers are interested, and it was largely due to the chairman's happy and provocative method of introducing the questions, that the evening was so successful. Prior to this meeting an executive committee had discussed the matters to be dealt with, and four questions were submitted by various parents, all dealing with present day school methods and control of education generafly. The following were fully discussed: "Alphabet in Sequence," "Control of Schools through various small bodies," "Print Script in the Early Llfe of the Child" and "Reading in the Early Stages." It was pointed out by members of the teaching staif that the matter of psychology had formed a basis for niodern methods, and^the old slower and harsher methods, in which the child had suffered, at times physically, had been largely disposed of as a result of this study. A most pleasing feature of the discussions was the lively interest the parents took, practically all those present participating. After the chairman had introduced the. question, a parent was inyited to explain how that particular subject had arisen. Mr N. Taylor spoke briefly on the "Teaching of the Alphabet," and Mr. James reolied, after which a general discussion took place. This method was followed throughout the evening. Mr. Calwell spoke to the second question, "Why are Schools Controlled through various small Bodies?" and Mr. Townrow replied. Mr. Kirkwood, in speaking to "Why is Print Script taught in the Early Stages of a Child's School Life?" mentioned the experiment carried out some years ago in certain districts, when children went right through the primary school without being taught cursive writing. This had not been acceptable to the commercial world. Miss Lochore, in replying showed the sieps a child had to take to develop the required muscular control to manage print script, and the gradual transition into cursive writing. Examples of work done by, children of different ages were shown. "Is it wise to teach the child to read at a very early age?" • was taken by Mr. Calwell, who suggested that the child in learning to read at a very early age, absorbed other people's ideas rather than developing its own. This raised a lively discussion led by Miss Keddell, who explained that reading, being the basis of learning, had to be mastered at an early age, so that when the mechanics were thoroughly learnt the child had the desire to read more widely. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, August 8, when it is proposed to have demonstrations on some school activity by the children.