There are some parents who still ask if early childhood education is necessary before they send their child to school for the K-12 curriculum. Although there are varied opinions on Pre-Kindergarten or Pre-K, take note that pre-school education is not compulsory.
Despite being optional, it cannot be denied that Pre-Kindergarten can give a child a head start. This is in consonance with Hillary Clinton's belief that it is every child's birthright to get a good start on education and because of that, she introduced the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) program.
It is also the belief of many individuals that Pre-K is a great way to prepare children before they start the compulsory education under the K-12 curriculum. Among others, it is the aim of pre-schools to develop the child socially, physically, emotionally and cognitively.
Schools, which cater to Pre-K usually offer a session of two-three hours per day, a couple of days per week, wherein children can learn the alphabet, colors, numbers and other basics of the elementary, according to the International Student & Scholar Services. Most schools incorporate play during these sessions to facilitate fun while the children are learning.
Even though parents are not required to have their children undergo Pre-K, early childhood education can give the children an edge. Just like those elite athletes who started their training young, a quality pre-school education will ensure children are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for their formal education, according to the report Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Pre-K program, however, is not free. It has to be financed by the family and realistically speaking, not all can afford. This said, Clinton, who recently participated in the first Presidential debate with Donald Trump as reported by the Education Week, wanted to increase the child-care access in order to aid working families. Clinton's advocacy was also part of her campaign to improve the economy.
Meanwhile, most people, if not all, know how important education is and why learning has to start at a young age. This is why there is an on-going political campaign to make pre-school universal for every 4-year-old in America.
