Promise the Children: Early Education
By Delaney Ketchum – volunteer at Girl’s Inc. and student of Early Education.
Over 4.3 million U. S. children cannot attend a safe, licensed preschool because their parents cannot afford it. Often,
these parents are forced to put their children in dangerous, unregulated daycare centers. These children go to kindergarten lacking in literacy and math skills and often have difficulties adjusting their behavior to a classroom setting. They continue to struggle throughout grade school and into high school, making it difficult for them to graduate, and putting them at a severe disadvantage for the rest of their lives. It is clear that the time before a child reaches kindergarten is crucial to their brain development and lays the foundations for their ability to learn and socialize throughout their lifespan.
Join us in asking the presidential candidates via twitter how they will provide all children with this vital early e
ducation. Here is a sample tweet:
@HillaryClinton @realDonaldTrump how will you give all children equal access to quality pre-k? @PromisetheChild #WeR4PreK
Targeted programs like Head Start provide preschool for children living below the poverty line (or slightly above, for the child with a disability), however many working class families above the poverty line still cannot afford to send their children to preschool. This problem would be solved by implementing a nationwide, voluntary preschool program that is open to all children, regardless of socioeconomic status. In the meantime, it is important that we advocate for the funding of Head Start and similar state early education programs.
If you care about this issue, let our presidential candidates know! Ask them what solutions they support and why. Tell them which ones you want to see implemented. Here is a full list of presidential candidates, including those running third party. For tips on how to contact elected officials, click here.
