[Tax-chick]

The article is lumping public-school "Pre-K" programs, day-care centers, and who-knows-what-all together.

I agree that children need to be discipline, but I don't think school is the right place for 3-year-olds.

[xsmommy]

my kids considered it a fun place to go for a few mornings per week. it is hardly fair to characterize sending a child to preschool from 9-noon, three mornings a week, instutionalization.

[KateatRFM]

"Heather Kepler, Kevin's teacher at Camp Fire Family Center Child Care in Fort Worth, said many children are not being taught how to express themselves, and their parents are not setting appropriate limits and boundaries, or being consistent with discipline.

The little ones scream, kick, hit and throw things at school. "

They are being taught how to express themselves -- their parents are out in the street cursing the President, getting arrested for throwing paint on people wearing fur coats, and being dragged away in handcuffs for throwing rocks at men with guns.

What this teacher meant to say is "These children are being taught to express themselves INAPPROPRIATELY." And as Supernanny and everybody's granny already knows, the little brats crave limits and structure -- knowing that when they do "A", "B" will follow every single time; they need a schedule, and an example, and swift and certain justice. From the day they are born. Most of all they need to know that they didn't create the universe and they don't turn the crank, and it doesn't revolve around them. Too many of these brats are only children whose middle aged parents are hanging onto their childhoods through Junior and Susie.

It's not the children who need Supernanny. It's the mothers.

[cyborg]

Okay not that I have the experience to really comment BUT some children should not be in pre-k, especially high spirited young boys. Actually high spirited children period ought to be home with mommy till they calm down and can go to school. My good friend's son goes to a Montessori school and he does very well. Other children I know have been kept home because the teacher recommended they be given ADD drugs.

[ContraryMary]

Unfortunately, in today's world if you don't send your kid to pre-school, then he/she will be at a disadvantage when he/she starts kindergarten. My kids are far beyond those years, but I do remember there being differences in kindergarten between those who had went to pre-school and those who had not. At a minimum, a decent pre-school teaches the child how to act in a school setting.

Pre-school doesn't have to be a five-days-a-week setting. Two or three half-days per week is beneficial for the child.