KINDERGARTEN VISITORS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 184, 1 May 1940, Page 4

KINDERGARTEN VISITORS

Yesterday's Activities For

Delegates

After an interesting morning visiting kindergartens iu Wellington, delegates attending the refresher course met in the afternoon at the Wellington South Kindergarten. The meeting was under the chairmanship of Professor Gould, and was addressed by Mrs. C. E. Beeby, on “The Problems of Being a Parent.” Airs. Beeby emphasized the fact that parenthood is the most skilled profession in the world. Mother love, with common sense, is not enough adequately to meet the needs of a little child. Parents have to educate themselves if they are to become good parents. They have to learn how to change constantly their attitude in order to meet the ever-growing and developing needs ot their children. The child has to be given his freedom to become an independent person —a real individual. This calls for great sympathy and understanding on the part of the parent as well as much balance, and as impersonal an attitude as is possible when dealing with one’s own child. Airs. Beeby concluded her address by pointing out the difference in the attitude of the parent and the teacher, and the special contribution kindergarten teachers can make in helping parents successfully to face their many problems. The address was followed by a fiveminute talk from a delegate from each association on the way the kindergartens are meeting the needs of the parents. AH speakers stressed the close co-operation between the kindergarten and the parents, and the value of club activities generally. The varied programmes of the clubs in each association fill a very real need in the life of the parents; problems which they are facing with their children are discussed, social needs are met, and interesting lectures are arranged. The clubs are also proving of special value in teaching a measure of self-expres-sion through handicrafts, music, play reading circles, and through their method of general organization. The greatest assistance that kindergartens can possibly give to parents is, of course, in the way in which provision is made for the developing needs of the little child, and the rich and full existence that be experiences during his kindergarten years. All reports stressed the response that the parents themselves make through their co-operation and generous assistance. Afternoon tea was served by the ■Wellington South committee, and a very interesting afternoon brought to a close.