Samuel, at age 6, is not that aware of politics. So perhaps writing about political issues runs amok with the premise of this blog. I am concerned, though, about the gathering pressure here in the US to formalize instruction for children younger than six!
According the ideas in the news during the last week or so, too few people are available to serve in the military due to educational, physical and even legal deficiencies. So, according to these stories, we need to increase spending on preschool education.
Where are children likely to learn the self control, the ability to get along with others, and to make decisions on their own that dovetail with others? Not in preschools, nor with the prefabbed story-line toys lining the shelves. Research is showing that the wonderful, whimsical childhood years playing "make believe" are critical in developing skills like executive function that are so vital during the adolescent and adult years. (Sadly, I read of one preschool program that is having children complete paperwork before starting an activity trying to engineer this "play" thinking -- what fun is that?)
Legislation can come at parents from so many directions, including states extending the mandatory school age to younger and younger children, provisions considered by the United Nations, and even the health care reform bill here in the US that seek to extend government's reach into those precious preschool years.
Let kids be kids. And sometime in the near future, I promise to tie these thoughts into spectrum kids and their early, formative years.
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