KINDERGARTENS’ PROGRESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 458, 13 September 1928, Page 5

KINDERGARTENS’ PROGRESS

DOMINION CONFERENCE

“I have read with muc'li interest how the movement has crown from small beginnings to five centres with 28 schools,” said Lady Alice Fergusson when she was opening a Dominion conference of the Kindergarten Union of New Zealand in ‘Wellington. ‘‘l have seen the work in Wellington, and in Auckland, and in one school I feel I am intimately known by the pupils.” The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup) presided, and associated with him on the platform besides her Excellency were: Mrs. Sidey, president of the union; Mr. T. B. Sti'ong, Director of Education; | Sir Truby King, and Mrs. Peacock, president of the Wellington branch, who presented a posy of flowers to Lady Alice Fergusson and to Mrs. Sidey. Her Excellency said it gave her particular pleasure to open this conference, for ever since she had been in New Zealand she had taken a great deal of interest in the work. This was the second of these conferences since the union was revived after the war, and they must be a great stimulus to work* in the* exchange of views and experiences. Mr. Troup, welcoming the delegates, said they were proud to have the conference in Wellington. The kindergartens- had begun in Dunedin in 1880, and in Welington in 1906. There was no question that the kindergarten, in taking the little children and giving them a good foundation for their education, were conferring a great benefit on the community. Mr. T. B. Strong, Director of Education, said that the Education Department recognised the importance of the work being done by the kindergartens, and subsidised the work. Children who came from the kindergartens to the primary schools had advantages over others, such as lie in the freedom of the training. Sir Truby King felt sure that the methods of kindergarten brought into the schools would be of benefit, especially as regards one of Froebels axioms, “Space, time and rest.” In the old days a child was often one of a large family; to-day to the only child the kindergarten supplied that family, while in crowded areas the kindergarten supplied the nearest approach to that axiom. Mrs. Sidey thanked, the speakers, especially Lady Alice Fergusson, who showed such a warm interest in all good works. Referring to the League of Mothers, which her Exxcellency had established, she said the kindergartens had established mothers’ clubs which worked on similar lines, having lectures in hygiene, care of children, etc., and served as a link between the home and the kindergarten, -and she made a plea for even more co-opera-I tion of a like kind.