Staff Editorial: Should Preschool Be Mandatory?

As children approach their toddler stage in life, parents often struggle over the decision of preschool attendance.
Preschools provide early education and care for children between three to six years old; they teach kids social skills as well as foster cognitive development to prepare them for kindergarten. They are usually managed by community organizations, churches, local government or parent committees. Although sending children to preschool remains a guardian’s decision, some believe that it should be mandatory.
Preschools teach young children essential social skills and basic concepts, such as working with peers and sharing. However, according to a study conducted by Stanford University, preschool may also generate aggressive and destructive behaviors caused by a stressful environment. In this kind of environment, it is particularly difficult for young children to learn anything, thus rendering preschool ineffective.
On the other hand, mandating preschool would bring about universal standards that preschools currently lack. Preschool teachers are often inexperienced and some consider preschool teachers no different from baby sitters, turning to alternative options such as homeschooling and daycare instead.
Another argument is that some of the public funds currently used for preschool could potentially be invested in other programs, such as higher education. Public preschools help disadvantaged children in that it provides more one-on-one time with adults, but that is not necessarily the case for middle and high-income families. Parents who are more financially comfortable can afford to devote more resources and time into their kids, according to Slate.com.
Preschools also provide a setting which allows children to develop around their peers and according to the National Institute for Early Education Research, those who received high-quality preschool education earned higher salaries in the future. However, parents could facilitate this cooperation and interaction themselves by having their children engage in activities with other kids. Also, higher education can result in greater earnings as well.
Although the idea of a mandatory preschool was created with good intentions in mind, not everyone sees it as the best option for their child, since many factors are involved in successfully obtaining a child’s education in school. The option should remain with the parents or guardians since they know their child the most and can therefore decide on the experience that will promote their toddler’s best interests.