Is Early Childhood Development a Good Idea?
n 1989, President Bush sponsored a national education summit, out of which came a set of national education standards. The standards included a call to ensure that every student was “ready to learn” upon entering kindergarten. While that standard was criticized for its vagueness and was slow to catch on, throughout the 1990s more researchers examined the early learning years, ages 3-6, and programs designed for that age group. Much of that research indicates the importance of stimulating the learning process during these early learning years. However, some question the most appropriate and effective types and providers of this learning. For example, should the early learning years consist primarily of activities designed to stimulate creativity and imagination, or should activities strive for more academic content, such as reading, arithmetic, or a foreign language? Are the most appropriate providers those in government sponsored or operated day-cares or pre-schools, or are parents the
