No title

I have seen first hand the results of Pre K here in Loudon County and it has been wonderful. My middle grandchild has really exceled. I'm hoping that this will continue to be available.

Does anyone else wonder where this push to make children become "educated" faster is coming from?

Why rob a child of his/her childhood so that they can get a job quicker when finally exiting our already overemphasized schools (especially here in Oak Ridge)?

It seems to me that we have placed so much emphasis on the future and how educated everyone should be instead of how we are pushing kids to mature and grow up faster (then have psychological problems), losing their precious childhood even faster.

Homeschooling is sounding better all the time...

Al Koholik wrote:

Does anyone else wonder where this push to make children become "educated" faster is coming from?
Why rob a child of his/her childhood so that they can get a job quicker when finally exiting our already overemphasized schools (especially here in Oak Ridge)?
It seems to me that we have placed so much emphasis on the future and how educated everyone should be instead of how we are pushing kids to mature and grow up faster (then have psychological problems), losing their precious childhood even faster.
Homeschooling is sounding better all the time...

Well said. Why don't we just send them from the hospital nursery directly to preschool?

I never went to pre-K or preschool or day care or anything like that. I started kindergarten right when I was supposed to and I never struggled. My grades were always A's and B's and I graduated #25 in my class. I went on to be accepted to Carson Newman and with scholarships and grants paid for all but $1000 of my tuition. Parents can teach their children everything they need to know to be prepared to enter kindergarten. I understand that some parents have to work to put food on the table and can't devote a lot of time to it but for the other parents who don't work, why not teach your child yourself?

Well said ladies! However... one thing that children need to learn how to "socialize" as well. My Mother in law (MIL) keeps my boy 2 days/wk and he is the only child there. I'm very grateful that he can stay with her and they have such a wonderful time together. The other 3 days, he stays with a sitter who keeps anywhere from 3 to 5 additional children. This is good for him, too, in that he has learned how to develop the social skills that will help him when he enters Pre-K in August. There are many children in our family who haven't had the opportunity to stay with other children and I can tell a big difference in how they interact when we're all together. Again, I am speaking of my family only... Kids need to be able to have the social skills that Pre-K will give to those who dont have an opportunity to play with other kids. That's all I'm saying.....

I have my son in pre-k and it is the best thing for him, he loves it. its not so much the learning his abc's and 123's its the social skills he gets. They make crafts and have parties. the pre-k teachers come up with some really awesome crafts. I think it depends on each child, but i don't think it is pushing them to grow up faster, its teaching them to be a good person

I would like to see a Pre_k in all schools.I have worked for 10 years in the early child hood and i can see a BIG differenane in the children that have entered the program than those who do not have a pre-k class.IF we enroll them early then we have a better chance at making them love learning

Thank you Kathy Fritts
kfritts@acs.ac

There is a push to give America's children a head-start in education because THEY ARE WAY BEHIND STUDENTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES. This has been the case since I was in grade school and it isn't about to change. Parents on average don't involve themselves in their child's education (PTO/PTA memberships are WAY down from the 80s), students don't get the needed tutoring they need. Teachers aren't as involved where they should be. It's an 8-3 job for many, and nothing more. Where is the love of teaching a child in today's educational system?

My son (now 7) never attended preK. He is now in 2nd grade and is struggling. My daughter, 5, is in PreK and is leaps and bounds ahead of where my son was in Kindergarten.

Everyone is singing the praises of homeschooling and it really concerns me because most parents aren't qualified or suited to homeschooling. It requires organization, and certification for the parent/teacher. It essentially is a full time job (aside from the already full time work as a housewife and any outside employment). You don't just up and decide one day to homeschool. In my opinion, homeschooling is just a fancy way of saying "I'm sheltering my child from the world's temptations and realities." Homeschooled children miss out on socialization skills, and have no experience dealing with peer pressure. SO once they are thrust in with their peers, they are ill-prepared to deal with it.

I do have a problem with the current criteria for acceptance into PreK. Preference is given to Hispanic speaking families. I feel that is discrimination; and if these Hispanic speaking families are illegal immigrants, I feel it isn't right for taxpayers to pay for the education of their children.

If they would put the lottery money into Public Education, Kindergarten through 12 grade, there would be no need for the Pre- anything. We are barely able to function and we keep taking children younger and younger to school. This makes no sense to me. Public education is floundering without the funds to buy essentials, new books, etc. and they keep funneling money into these pre-school and after school programs which are nothing more than paid babysitters, in my opinion. I struggle to teach Art and Theatre with the BEP money which is $200.00 a YEAR with 180 students per one school year. My kids can't even enjoy a box of Crayolas.

I think it is reprehensible.

Japan has a glorious pre-school program, excelling students and the highest suicide rate in teens in the world.

Our children need time to be children. I am not knocking little kindergarten kids, having taught them for 7 years myself, I am just saying that something needs to be done for the existing students at the HIGH SCHOOL level also besides afterschool programs, etc. We need a shot in the arm to help these 'future leaders'. Having all went to Head Start and some kind of pre-K programs, I don't think more of the same is the answer personally.

I think preK is great. My grand daughter was approved for it at Karns. My problem is that there is no after school care available for working parents of preK children. The day care centers aren't transporting children from the preK classes to their facilities due to the changes in child transportation laws. The after school care at the school will does not take children younger than kindergarten age.

Wow....I am just wondering why a opportunity to educate our little ones further would be considered a bad thing. I have come to find in life that a education is the best weapon...I am all for the Pre-K program and I am looking forward to enrolling my son in it next year.

Kim
Knoxville

That is not what I meant at all. I just think the emphasis should be on funding what we already should be nurturing: Solid, capable young adults and children who are geared for success in the world. We have initiatives but no funding for them: i.e.'No Child Left Behind'. It is a wonderful utopian dream but how can you not leave a child 'behind' when there is no money to put gas in the bus, so to speak? I hope you do not think that I meant it was 'bad' to educate toddlers. I just think we should fund education to educate those we already serve.

I never went to kindergarten or pre-k and always made a and b honor roll.My daughter on the other hand went to Pre-k and kindergarten and also is a honor roll student. I think it all depends on how much children are taught at home. By the way I do sustitute teaching for pre-k quite often. It is a good program especially for children who the parents do not have time to work with the children alot.It also teaches them how to interact with other children.

so much for no child left BEHIND they would not take my daughter for pre k, her daddy makes TOO MUCH MONEY? THIS IS PUBLIC SCHOOLS RIGHT? they did not care we struggle with our family, while the EX lets his others fail, and buys expensive things(child support buys)! i am a first time mom being pressured by "my kid is smarter" because they had PRESCHOOL AND PRE-K, but i am glad i get ANOTHER YEAR with my BABY, more than some people, who would rather for their kid to be SMARTER. some kids learn at their own way and rate. she don't want to be taught abc's, 123's, morals, or how to be kind to others "by mom" (but she knows all of them), she wants to be loved. she is the smartest, kindest, and SMARTEST little kid MOMMY knows!!!

Need info on two subd. Berkshire,and southern meadows. Thanks

Forgot to mention where the subd. Murfreesbore