Fun exploration here made for teachers about the different problems a child COULD have. 2 of the male kids seem alright, have lots of friends, but the other three have a sheetload of problems!
Amond the worst is Ruth, who's Mom died a year and a half ago, and who has been forced to be the mother figure of the household. She has to buy the groceries, cook and take care of the little baby, George. Did I mention that Ruth was in Grade 6 in school? Seriously, some government welfare program had to step into this one, as this was overboard in my book.
Next another girl, Elizabeth has arguing parents that disrupt her tea time with her dolls. Mom comes out and tips it right over! That bitch!
Finally slow moving Tommy is short for his age and unrespected by his father. Dad likes his other strange-looking son better. I think this has to do with that strange looking dinner they're eating..
What a great maudlin film!!!

This 50s teacher training film tries to encourage teachers to develop empathy and understanding for their students by showing the background issues of five kids in a 5th grade class. As you might expect, some kids have lots of advantages, while others have a whole slew of problems. The kids problems are portrayed in a manner that is sometimes touching, and other times overly melodramatic. The film does give an interesting look into the educational psychology of the 50s, and is probably a real blast from the past for those who went to grade school during that time.
Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ***. Weirdness: ***. Historical Interest: ****. Overall Rating: ****.

Melodramatic picture aimed at student teachers to remind them that their students are each different. In an attempt to try to counter the idea of childism- the romantic notion that childhood is somehow trouble free- the result swings a bit too far the other way.

Interesting subtext of the film is how issues regarding gender are divided. The boys are mostly well adjusted, while the girls face broken homes and abusive families. The one boy, John, that does face serious issues is feminized by being small and shy, thus bullied by his peers and a disappointment to his father. The more stereotypically male students do well socially, at worst having some mild dyslexia.

However, since this is only the set up, defining the problem, it is unclear what the purposed solution for teachers is.