Zoe Benjamin

Sophia Benjamin (1882-1962), kindergarten teacher, was born on 24 December 1882 in Adelaide, only daughter of Minnie (born Cohen) and Phillip Benjamin, journalist and later company secretary. They moved to Sydney in 1888. Zoe was educated with cousins by governesses and tutors, and at Darlinghurst Superior School. She trained as a kindergarten teacher (1904-05) and was in charge of kindergarten work at the Ashfield Infants' Home and the Froebel House Kindergarten and Primary School attached to the Kindergarten Teachers' Training College. She introduced free play periods, encouraging spontaneous play in place of instruction in use of play equipment. In 1910 she started the Australian Kindergarten Magazine which she edited for many years.

In 1912 Zoe was appointed a lecturer in psychology and education at the Kindergarten Training College, where she became vice-principal in 1934. She was an inspiring lecturer, drawing on a wide knowledge of literature, philosophy and history. She lectured also at the Norland Nursing College and for the Extension Board of the University of Sydney. At a time when the rod was going out of favour, she gave instruction to parents on the management of children, imparting the latest knowledge of child psychology and educational theory. With similar objectives she helped form a Free Kindergarten Mothers' Union in 1924, 'to enrich the lives' of inner-city mothers. A part of her work with parents related to sex education, encouraging parents to respond naturally to their children's curiosity. She retired from the Kindergarten Training College in 1937 to concentrate on this work. In the following years until prevented by failing eyesight in 1959, she gave lectures and held classes in almost every suburb and country town in New South Wales. She gave broadcasts on the ABC's Kindergarten of the Air. When the New Education Fellowship established a parent-education committee in 1950, she became chief lecturer. Zoe published Education for Parenthood (1944), Talks to Parents (1947) and The Schoolchild and His Parents (1950)

'An indomitable tiny bundle of good-humoured energy', she never lost enthusiasm for her subject. In her last years she was blind. Zoe Benjamin never married. She died on 13 April 1962. The Zoe Benjamin Memorial Fund was presented in 1963 to the Trustees of the State Library of New South Wales.

Heather Radi

Lysbeth Cohen Beginning with Esther: Jewish Women in New South Wales from 1788 1987.