KINDERGARTEN SYSTEM

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1932, Page 6

KINDERGARTEN SYSTEM

*- (To the Editor.) f Sir,—Will you permit me, as one wlio has Jot many years followed up"" educational movements with much interest, to voicejmy, regret at1 the blow about to be struck 'at' the-, whole" foundations of the free fcindeigarten system, in New, Zealand. Fipni my observation of educational institutions in this country this branch 1 appears to me to be accomplishing work more in accordance with the aims and ideals of all modern educationists and to be getting into touch with the thoughts and home life of the children as no other branch of our education system, can be said to be doing. Further, it appears from figures quoted to cost the country a negligible sum of money; the {.am to the counhy,'l feel sure, must more than repay the costs. I notice also the very keen interest taken in the movement by. the parents'of the children; It appears' that >'*■ they^pptonly^contribute (voluntarily) , whife'lthtey are; able;.:but; readily givei.theu-ifsferVices to assist the • kihdfergartenV'teafchierßrSurely such a state of affairs is'to be-encouraged —nay, carried into higher branches of educational, work. Oh - -occasions when, I have visited some of the kindergartens in Wellington I have heard parents testifying to the benefits'their young folk ha\e derived from attendance at one or>other of the kindergartens. Here a eickly child I hag, through regular and trained gire.^rown strong, there* another retarded Has found encouragement to keep pace with normal children. The hours spent by these young folk in the kindergartens are a happy and profitable preparation for future school life and; good. citizenship, and at a time such as the present, when the homes of > many 'of these children are anything but happy ones, can We see these schools Swept away without a word of protest?—l am, etc., ' ? FOR THE CHILDBEJT.