Catering for the Awkward Age

Ask any woman the worst age of her children. Odds are that most of them will say between three and five. That's the time when the little ones, too small for school, seek an outlet for their boundless energy and find a release in mischief and investigation. Many of these youngsters, with older brothers and sisters at school, become bored and, as a result, are very trying to their mothers. The play centres, now flourishing all over New Zealand, are helping these children, and channeling their energies into useful pursuits and the end result, when the child does reach school age, is that he or she is better adjusted and able to adapt to the school life much more readily. We visited Richmond Play Centre recently to have a look at the work being done there.

×

 

• 

The world of make believe, with Kerry Smith the groom, Maria Goodwin his bride, and Julie Anne Becker the bridesmaid.

×

 

• 

Clay modelling under the eye of supervisor Ronette Pickering

×

 

• 

The mums help out, especially with the cleaning up. From left: Judith Schroder, Margaret Stubbs, Colleen Warner, Anne Dowell, Phyllis Mayes (assistant supervisor), Nancy Doran and Anja Wearing.