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Opinion
Early Childhood Letter to the Editor

Is Kindergarten, Not Preschool, Key to ‘Reimagining’ Early Education?

November 11, 2014 1 min read
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To the Editor:

Michael J. Kaufman, Sherelyn R. Kaufman, and Elizabeth C. Nelson, the authors of the Commentary “Reimagining Early-Childhood Education,” state that we should regard preschoolers as capable, curious, creative, caring, connected individuals who can naturally develop meaningful relationships from which knowledge and well-being are constructed.

These statements are also true of virtually every 5-year-old entering kindergarten. Why then the national push for preschool education? A national kindergarten program built on these principles would seem to negate the rush into expensive preschool education.

Lawrence Schlack

Professor of Educational Leadership (Retired)

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Mich.

A version of this article appeared in the November 12, 2014 edition of Education Week as Is Kindergarten, Not Preschool, Key To ‘Reimagining’ Early Education?

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