Dear Editor,
In your news story concerning Proposition 82, the initiative
that would provide the opportunity for all 4-year-olds to attend a
state-funded preschool program, Gilroy Teachers Association
President Michelle Nelson, is quoted as saying,
”
A quality preschool is not daycare. A quality preschool is
teaching them.
”
Dear Editor,
In your news story concerning Proposition 82, the initiative that would provide the opportunity for all 4-year-olds to attend a state-funded preschool program, Gilroy Teachers Association President Michelle Nelson, is quoted as saying, “A quality preschool is not daycare. A quality preschool is teaching them.”
I sincerely hope her comments were taken out of context. If not, her remarks exemplifies my concern that if Proposition 82 passes, pressure on young children will intensify as they are expected to learn in ways that are not developmentally appropriate for a 4-year-old.
As an early childhood professional with more than 30 years of experience, I can attest to the fact that in quality child care programs, learning takes place continuously. The necessity for child care happens to be a reality in our society. That does not mean that I advocate every child spending their days in a child-care situation. However, those that do deserve to have care that works in partnership with the family to augment the child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. After all, recent research proves that the most brain development takes place in the first few years of life. At this time, self concept is developing along with social and interpersonal skills. Children are learning problem solving skills and self regulation. Much of a person’s future intellectual ability is related to the experiences of their earliest years.
Ms. Nelson should be aware that a quality preschool experience should not look like “watered down” kindergarten.
My fear is that programs that strongly push academics above all else will become what is considered “quality”. Ms. Nelson and other proponents of Proposition 82 owe it to our preschool children to educate themselves on what a quality early learning experience should encompass. After all, don’t we really want children to have a lifelong love for learning?
Sharon Flanagan, Gilroy
