The Valpo Core Reader
 

Authors

Katrina Sifferd

Document Type

Argument Essay

Publication Date

1990

Excerpt

In the 1950's the average preschool room consisted of doll houses, play kitchens, little rugs to have naps on, jugs of Kool-aid and a smiling teacher with a bun at the nape of her neck who would laughingly tell Joey to stop pulling Sally's hair. However, as time and technology have marched on, preschool rooms have slowly changed from a place to color pictures to a place where children learn how to do word problems on IBM computers. It has been hotly debated in the past few years whether early academics are actually helping or hindering America's children. Though parents are pushing for success--the earlier the better--most psychologists agree that strict academics at too early an age can kill creativity and motivation and can also cause physical problems. It is also true that children who are allowed to express. themselves at an early age instead of being force fed others' ways of thinking are less likely to rebel against authority at a later age. Overall, it has been proven that pressured academics at the preschool level can deter later learning and can also be harmful to the psychological and physical health in children.

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