History shows Headstart does not work and may even hurt children.
Nothing is better for early learning then a loving home and loving parents & grand parents.
For years though the media reported on the “success” of Head Start like it was a tribute to Lady Bird Johnson, who pushed this through in 1965. And most Americans still truly believe in the success of Head Start.
We don’t need no education
We don’t need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the classroom
Teachers leave them kids alone
Hey! teachers! leave the kids alone!
All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.
All in all you’re just another brick in the wall.
I do not know how they could determine that it hurts children. I would think that the interesting and testable hypothesis would be that any gains from these headstart progrms dwindle over a few years, so in the long run there's no benefit.
In my wonderful journey through the world of substitute teaching (it's really a nice supplementary income for a retiree, and every day is unique) I've spent some time in these federally funded preschools for 4-5 year olds. They're supplied with unbelievable resources...books, toys, building blocks, puzzles, role-playing play stations, group meeting corners, reading-writing early learning materials, even playground equipment right outside the door. The kids do speak English there (that's a plus). The children get free breakfast, free lunch, and the full complement of specialists for music, art, phys ed, being read stories, etc.
If they're saying "look at the material things we provide" it's true, they provide so much. Question is, would simple things like just a few toys and activities from loving parents and grandparents have greater long-range impact? Maybe Sebelius and her crone crew don't understand that.
and especially playing and being a kid.