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KINDERGARTEN WORK.
New Broadcast Session.
In a broadcast over the Nationall
network yesterday, Lady Gowrie, wife
of the Governor-General, spoke on
the "Kindergarten of the Air," a
new session stressing the -value of
wireless as a means of instruction
for young-children.
"We have all been talking so much
about planning for a better world
and a fairer future for our children
--but our expectations and our
dreams must be translated into prac
tical realities," declared Lady Gowrie.
"We must all do more than just hope
and wish. That wonder miracle of
our age-wireless-is going to intro
duce a 20-minute programme which
is to be called the 'kindergarten of
the air.' In this way every child in
the outback or in the country dis
tricts can have the benefit of learn
ing songs, games, exercises, and in
formation about animal life and
nature study, and many other most
valuable lessons from a highly
trained kindergarten teacher. The
children will also learn to pay great
attention and to concentrate, be
cause of their eagerness not to miss
one item of the broadcast.
"This keenness on the part of the
children has been proved in West
ern Australia, where I first came
across this plan for helping mothers
in their homes. When I was in
vited to ifaugurate this scheme I
was delighted to think that so many
of our overworked mothers can now
have the benefit of this kindergarten
teaching brought to them.
"I know only too well the great
difficulties our women are having,
particularly on the land; what tre
mendous burdens they are bravely
carrying on their shoulders, with so
many of their men away fighting,
and training themselves to defend
these very homes.
"And now comes what I believe
may be a very real help to mothers
on the home front. They will, I
hope, derive much real value from
these sessions. Whether the mothers
are living in the country, in the
suburbs, or in the cities, I am sure
they will enjoy taking part in these
sessions with their small children.
They should take part in them
whenever they possibly can.
"It is most important that they,
should start off with their children!
and get them interested and keen
over what they are going to hear
and learn, through play, concentra
tion and general interest.
"I often fear that these children
of ours are going to face a very dif
ficult world, and that it must be
our greatest endeavour to equip them
with every possible quality, and give
them up-to-date education, which
will most surely oe required for their
battle of life.
"May every parent, grandmother,
aunt, older brother or sister-in fact
all those who are interested ip any
small child-be helped by these
broadcasts, and take advantage of
them for the children's sake. These
children are soon to become not
only the inheritors but the
builders of this great country. I
have the great pleasure of inaugurat
ing this session throughout Aus
tralia-and wishing it every success.
May it bring happiness into many
homes."
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