INFLUENCING THE CHILD

Chronicle (Levin), 19 July 1947, Page 3

INFLUENCING THE CHILD

TALK TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS The monthly meeting of the Shannon Parents' and Teachers' Association was held in the school on Monday evening, when there was an excelle.nt ' attendance oi both parents and teachers. After being ex'.ended a welcome by the chairman (Mr. R. R. Lind), Mr. H. L. Hunt, child welfare officer of Palmerston North, addressed the gathering. He spoke of the complicated nature of the child's being, and mentioned that the influences at work on the building of his character and temperament reached back for generations. It was difficult to "see any resemblance to the parents in some children, and it was therefore not surprisIng that one's children were sometimes difficult to understand. It was here that great benefit could be derived from regular association between teacher and parent, as it often happened that the teacher knew things about the child that the parenfs had not noticed while the' parent always had information that was useful to the teacher to the better understanding of his pupil. "There is a distinction between a parent-teacher association and a home and school association," said Mr. Hunt. The latter were usually coneerned with raising money,. while the former were simply coneerned with get'.ing to know more about children, ourselves and education, and left money-raising to the official body — the school committee. It was not a good thing for the school when any. parents' association became militant. . If the school committee was engaged in a money-raising effort (because funds were always short) the parents might be invited to help. Mr. Hunt then gave a brief account of some of his experiences and problems in connection with child delinquents. ' He pointed out that environments became an important factor in forming the characters and futures of children who had had an unfortunate start in life. Children were sometimes accused of lying when they were really allowing th,eir imagination full rein. • • At the conclusion of his address Mr. Hunt answered a number of questions and, when asked, promised to address y? the association again. >-u i- • Mr. Lind expressed the thanks and appreciation of the audience to Mr. Hunt for his inStructive and entertaining address. Mr. Aitchison dealt with calf club and home gardening matiers, after which supper was dispensed. All present, some 47 parents and teachers, expressed their appreciation and enthusiasm for a most enjoyable evening. It is hoped that even more parents will be present at the next meeting, which will be held on Monday, August 4/ at 8 p.m. " *'