Posted on 03/29/2005 6:03:45 PM PST by NormsRevenge
I've seen the ads for a long time now. The fact is this: Kids who go to pre-school are better educated because their parents care about their education and development. They can also tend to make more money. Those who don't send their kids to preschool are either on welfare, can't afford to send them (single parents), and there is a small percentage who educate their kids at home. The latter do well, the two former, no.
I've heard the exact same thing. My 7 year old daughter is in the 2nd grade and started preschool at just over 2 years old. (It was a Montessori school and she was precocious and bored at home.) She was in preschool for 2 1/2 years before starting school. I honestly don't see how it has made a difference to her learning now.
P.S. As far as preschool kids being less likely to do drugs and go to jail: Welfare parents often do use drugs and the fathers often are in, or have been in jail. Those kids are in a bad home environment, and kids who go to preschool have parents who make enough money to shelter their kids from this environment.
"But when will the children have time to learn English?"
I heard an ad today on the radio, and I nearly slammed on my brakes. It was a job announcement, and it said "applicants must be fluent in English."
IT'S ABOUT TIME!
Oh come on. Welfare parents aren't often on drugs and their fathers aren't often in jail - that is such and stereotype with racist overtones. There are plenty of homes chock full of drugs and alcohol and homes with parents in trouble with the law that aren't dependent on public assistance.
What we can assume is that it's the intervention of the public-funded programs and the schools overall that protect children from at-risk homes despite their socio-economic class.
Actually, young children are much more capable of learning languages than older children or adults, and I think we can assume that the preschools aren't conducted entirely in French. Why not teach the children French as well as English? I had to take Latin when I was 12; I would have probably done better if I had started learning a foreign language earlier. We can't assume that there's some sort of crazy French conspiracy to wipe out the English language, especially sinc fine tuned learning of our common language comes mostly from elective practice such as reading and writing outside of mandatory classwork.
By the way, welcome to Free Republic.
I bet if we started them in school at 6 months we could save even more money.
Hey there are lots of preschools that aren't state run. Bottom line, having parents that care about their children and what they learn is really the answer. Perhaps the children in preschools have parents that care a lot about them. My boy is in preschool and it really helps, it isn't state run.
No. Now they get to be "left behind" in pre-school.
The solution is obvious. Government needs to take control of infants, and schedule limited custody time to parents.
""Actually, young children are much more capable of learning languages than older children or adults,""
Yes, because their ear is still developing. The best way to teach children a language is for the home to be bilingual. A friend of my mother's spoke fluent Spanish, and only spoke Spanish to her children. To her husband of course, she spoke English. And her children were raised fluent in both languages.
Some of us who "care a lot" for our children think they should be home with a loving parent for as long as possible.
I just knew someone would flame me! That's OK. I totally believe in the stay at home thing. I myself have been the stay at home Dad for 1 1/2 years. It is the best place for kids to be. Preschool isn't all day long either, and he gets to be around other kids his age for a while too. Social skills is another benefit.
I just think some of them are surprisingly dumb; how can conservative America get any respect if it's response is always knee-jerk or with racist overtones?
....what is your point? So children who aren't from bilingual homes just shouldn't learn other languages?
""....what is your point? So children who aren't from bilingual homes just shouldn't learn other languages?""
Yes, that's exactly what my point was. No one should learn a language unless they're from a bilingual home. Infact, let us make it against the law! (sarcasm)
I said it was the best way.
Fight starter
My kids learned Spanish by watching Spanish TV, then talking to some Meixican friends. Worked great.
No, troll...get it right. Isn't it always "racist, bigot, homophobe" from you folks? Also, I think conservative America gets plenty of respect. Don't you remember the '02 and '04 elections?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.