PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25021, 15 September 1942, Page 3

PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION

WELFARE OF CHILDREN The Dunedin branch of tire New Education Fellowship was addressed last Friday evening by Miss S. Hamilton, director of the experimental pre-school centre established by the Plunket Society and the Free Kindergarten Association in cooperation with and subsidised by the Education Department. Miss Hamilton showed the need, especially in these times, for careful attention to pre-school development. For this purpose, she said, there was at the pre-school centre an exceptionally close co-operation between those in charge of the physical and mental aspects of the children’s development. There was a daily medical service of a preventive nature available under the supervision of Dr Deem and the Plunket nurses. Diet, rest, and exercise were all carefully planned. On the mental side, too. kindergarten teachers aimed at striking a balance between activity and rest, and devoted their efforts to the development of right attitudes towards habits of healthy and creative living. The centre provided opportunities for Plunket nurses in training to observe and study correct methods of child management, Miss Hamilton continued, while kindergarten trainees spent approximately two months at the centre gaining experience in handling young infants, cooking their meals, observing the medical practice, etc., as well as learning the usual kindergarten methods. At the close of the address Miss Hamilton answered a number of questions.