Friday, February 9, 1973
Dealing with homework, Mr. Ho said parents should recognise that
some homework should go with school work, though an excessive amount should
not be set by teachers.
Because most homes did not have a quiet room, which was essential
for satisfactory work, the Deputy Director urged parents to sacrifice the
wireless and television for an hour or so.
This would not only help concentration but it would be a demonstration
to children of the genuine belief of parents in the importance of the work.
Mr. Ho warned parents never to do their children's homework but to
show them the method of working.
This was,
On improving the memory of children, Mr. Ho said parents could help
best by ensuring that the child understood the general drift of thought or the
inter-connection of facts in a lesson.
he added, far better than
merely hearing, for example, a poem recited or asking questions on small points.
Be said: "In some school subjects where there is much memorising to
do, the intelligent child with poor 'rote memories' will not at first do himself
justice. The thing to do is to appeal to his interest as far as possible.
"Even if his specific rote memory for things both heard and seen is
weak, his intelligence will later find ways of compensating for these to a large
extent."
Note to Editors:
Copies of the full text of Mr. Ho's
speech in Chinese and English are distributed
separately in the Press Boxes, Government Information Services, this evening.
15