The importance of education cannot be overlooked. It not only fulfills one’s potential but also boosts the whole society. Therefore, issues in this field always generate heated discussions. One of the most popular topics in education is how to help young parents with small children. In my opinion, the government should provide free preschools for every kid.
Firstly, free early childhood education will greatly reduce the burden of childrearing. It is not uncommon to see young couples show a bitter-sweet attitude towards raising children. On one hand, kids bring incomparable joy to their parents. On the other hand, however, upbringing children costs much time, energy, and money. With extra household chores and parenting tasks lined up, young parents not only need to pay more bills but also have to sacrifice more time and energy for taking care of their kids. In many cases, one parent has to cut down his or her working hours or even resign from work. As a result, their families suffer from both economic and mental pressure. If governments offer free preschools, nevertheless, things will be much easier for them. When kids are in school, young parents can take a break or focus on their work. Also, since most preschools prepare meals, toys, or books for children, that can reduce the financial burden on parents.
More importantly, free preschools contribute to social equity. Early childhood education programs do not just focus on the child’s learning ability; instead, it also emphasizes social, emotional, and physical development. These are all essential to the healthy development of young children. Unfortunately, people who are struggling at the poverty line face great challenges in bringing up their children. They have to work longer hours to support their families, thus having less qualified time companying their children, not to mental educating them properly. Unlike these people, middle or upper-class parents can spare more time for childrearing. Also, they will hire nannies and private tutors to help them nurture their children. If governments fail to offer sufficient support to poor parents, their kids will lag far behind compared with privileged ones even before entering elementary schools. It is unfair. On the contrary, however, when free early childhood education programs are accessible, disadvantaged children will have more opportunities to grow up well and fulfill their potential.
To sum up, preschools contribute to both families and society. Therefore, I highly recommend that governments should provide free, qualified early childhood education programs.
