Give schoolkids a head start

Report recommends kids start school at 2 years of age.

Re: Start school at 2, study urges

Currently, Ontario is emphasizing the importance of education early on in life. As of 2011, the Ministry of Education has announced the approval of implementing full-day kindergarten in our province. Moreover, further research shows that early childhood education starting at age 2 in their local school, can “transform kids’ lives.”

However, from a society that is so focused on education and success, it fails to see the emotional consequences it could have on the child, as well as the finances needed to accomplish these goals. Ages 2-5 are essential in the child’s development and it is imperative that they are under the care of their parents. The separation of the child from the caregiver could lead to negative and irreversible effects.

Furthermore, with an already under-budgeted Toronto District School Board, the cost to hire teachers — or at least babysitters — along with the cost of resources may cause school closures elsewhere.

Alternatively, the TDSB should focus on their role of balancing the budget of their schools before trying to take over the role of parents. Starting school at age 2 may in fact transform kids’ lives, but not for the better.

What a treasure to have had Dr. Fraser Mustard in our midst. “The Early Study Years Study 3” must be taken seriously by the provincial and federal governments, and the municipal ones, too. There really isn’t any choice now that the “avalanche of evidence” is documented: play-based learning, music for toddlers, finger-painting, storytelling, role-playing, active play, at an early age, in the public system, gives every child the chance to develop and thrive in a safe, stimulating environment.

It goes without saying that when a child enters the education system at an early age, many, many developmental and behavioural problems may be noticed by trained educators. Children who bully, those with learning disabilities and anti-social behaviour, and those who are highly creative, must receive all our best resources.

If some people call this an “investment “ for the future, so be it. I see it as a fundamental human right for every child in Canada to receive the best education at the earliest possible age.

No money? Listen to Dr. Mustard: “If you are telling me we don’t have the money, I’d make the point that the risk for physical and mental health problems is actually set in early development.”

Della Golland, Toronto

Your headline did a huge disservice to educating the general public about the importance of early learning experiences and the critical impact they play on early brain development. Instead, you conjured up images of 2-year-olds heading off to sit in a classroom with pencils in hand.

It’s not nature vs nurture any more. It’s “how we nurture nature,” and this report tells us, yet again, that investing in the early years is a far better bet than waiting to spend later.

Barbara MacKay Ward, Toronto

 

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