“Zero to Five Plan” – Government as the New Parents?

President Obama hums a familiar tune — we need education reform to better prepare our children to be successful in college and the workplace. But exactly what does he propose? In his education initiative, the Zero to Five Plan, President Obama proposes “early care and education for infants.” To implement this, states will be given grants to start moving towards universal preschools.

Obama’s theory is the earlier children begin formal education, the better chance they have to compete in the global economy. However, a 2005 Stanford University study found, “attendance in preschool centers, even for short periods of time each week, hinders the rate at which young children develop social skills and display the motivation to engage classroom task.” According to a report by the Southwest Policy Institute, "Contrary to common belief, early institutional schooling can harm children emotionally, intellectually and socially, and may later lead to greater peer dependency."

Child psychologist, David Elkind, has researched early education and written several book on the subject. He found pushing elementary academic education into the very early years of a child could actually have lasting harm on children, putting them at risk for short-term stress and long-term personality damage, especially hindering social development.

Obama’s Zero to Five Plan encourages less parental involvement and more governmental involvement in child development because preschool will be offered for free. Who do you want indoctrinating our babies and toddlers? Parents, let’s not abdicate parental responsibility to the state, which has become increasingly hostile towards Christianity. Instead, let’s spend more time together with our children, teaching them biblical truth (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).  Children, parents and society will all reap the benefits.

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