***I want to clarify that this post is not an attack on those who send their children to Junior Kindergarten. No one I know does so with malicious intent. They do it because we've been taught to believe that our children are better off being taught by "experts." This post is an attempt to examine where that idea came from.
Recently, several Christian schools in our province have followed the trend in the public education system and instituted Junior Kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds. Whether it's because school administrators see value in going the way of a culture or whether they feel they have no choice but to provide the option to families who would utilize the secular system otherwise, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's a combination of both.
In any case, many of those who were once repulsed by the idea of sending their children away to school any earlier than they already are, have thrown up their hands in defeat and sigh, "I guess it must be for the best." Who's going to dare hold their child back for one more year at home if all the other kids are taking advantage of the perceived "head-start"?
5 years from now, it'll be normal in our Christian community to wave "good-bye" to our 4-year-olds as they climb the stairs to the big, yellow bus in search of a brighter education. We'll forget that five used to be the normal send-off age for a child. It'll all come back to us, however, when, after the dust has settled, we find ourselves facing legislation that will require shipping our 3-year-olds off to school too.
"3-year-olds?! Don't be ridiculous! That'll never happen!" Really? The likelihood of mandatory schooling for tots is just as likely as the social experiment they're conducting on our 4-year-olds right now. Why? Because it's been part of the devil's agenda to destroy the Christian family all along.
Jean Jacques Rousseau, an instrumental figure behind our modern education system, was a heartless father who abandoned each of his own five children on the steps of an orphanage as babies. He applauded Plato's idea of an ideal state where "temporary sexual liaisons produced the children and where no parent should know his child, and no child should know his parent.1" In his book Emile, Rousseau prescribed education "with an unmarried tutor who would draw the child away from his parents and relatives as much as possible.2"
How sickly ironic that philosophers like Plato, Rousseau, Marx, and Dewey who clearly had no regard for God's law or a love of children somehow became the founding fathers of a modern education system which indoctrinates our children for over 15,000 hours during the most formative years of their life. But perhaps even more tragic than their mission to destroy the family through increasingly younger compulsory attendance laws, is a Church who says, "Yes! and Amen," to the downward direction of a godless institution.
Besides the fact that there is no educational benefit to beginning school early (also see here and here), a Christian school considering the option of offering Junior Kindergarten or preschool programs must also investigate the spiritual ramifications of removing a child from the home at such an early age. This new educational "reform" has not proven to be a "tried and true" method, nor does it jive with the biblical model of parent-led, home-based discipleship (Deut. 6:7; the Book of Proverbs; Eph. 6:4; 1 Thess. 2:11).
The JK phenomena we're facing in both public and private Christian schools begs us to ask the question, why 4-year-olds? Why not 3-year-olds? At what point will the line be drawn, or will we be okay with birthing our children onto a socialist conveyor belt? Has the morality of our culture changed for better or for worse since 1852 when America first adopted compulsory attendance laws? Is it pure coincidence that the more time we spend in a classroom, the more immoral we become? Would spending less time in the classroom with peers and more time with parents who love the Lord be better or worse for a covenant child?
Parental convenience and worldly conformity are not matters warranted by Scripture. So if it's true (and the evidence is compelling) that God has given the responsibility of child-rearing to their mother and father, and if it's true that there is no educational benefit to early classroom instruction, what reason is the Church left with for providing Junior Kindergarten programs in their Christian schools? Each family would do well to investigate the answers to these questions themselves rather than assuming that the "Christianization" of a secular idea is what's best for their child.
1 Plato, The Republic, Book 5, Section 2: part 6, Also, compare with Laws, 804d, where Plato says that children "belong to the state rather than their parents."
2 Will and Ariel Durrant, Rousseau and Revolution, Simon and Schuster, New York, NY, 1967, p.179
Recently, several Christian schools in our province have followed the trend in the public education system and instituted Junior Kindergarten programs for 4-year-olds. Whether it's because school administrators see value in going the way of a culture or whether they feel they have no choice but to provide the option to families who would utilize the secular system otherwise, I'm not sure. Perhaps it's a combination of both.
5 years from now, it'll be normal in our Christian community to wave "good-bye" to our 4-year-olds as they climb the stairs to the big, yellow bus in search of a brighter education. We'll forget that five used to be the normal send-off age for a child. It'll all come back to us, however, when, after the dust has settled, we find ourselves facing legislation that will require shipping our 3-year-olds off to school too.
"3-year-olds?! Don't be ridiculous! That'll never happen!" Really? The likelihood of mandatory schooling for tots is just as likely as the social experiment they're conducting on our 4-year-olds right now. Why? Because it's been part of the devil's agenda to destroy the Christian family all along.
Jean Jacques Rousseau, an instrumental figure behind our modern education system, was a heartless father who abandoned each of his own five children on the steps of an orphanage as babies. He applauded Plato's idea of an ideal state where "temporary sexual liaisons produced the children and where no parent should know his child, and no child should know his parent.1" In his book Emile, Rousseau prescribed education "with an unmarried tutor who would draw the child away from his parents and relatives as much as possible.2"
How sickly ironic that philosophers like Plato, Rousseau, Marx, and Dewey who clearly had no regard for God's law or a love of children somehow became the founding fathers of a modern education system which indoctrinates our children for over 15,000 hours during the most formative years of their life. But perhaps even more tragic than their mission to destroy the family through increasingly younger compulsory attendance laws, is a Church who says, "Yes! and Amen," to the downward direction of a godless institution.
Besides the fact that there is no educational benefit to beginning school early (also see here and here), a Christian school considering the option of offering Junior Kindergarten or preschool programs must also investigate the spiritual ramifications of removing a child from the home at such an early age. This new educational "reform" has not proven to be a "tried and true" method, nor does it jive with the biblical model of parent-led, home-based discipleship (Deut. 6:7; the Book of Proverbs; Eph. 6:4; 1 Thess. 2:11).
The JK phenomena we're facing in both public and private Christian schools begs us to ask the question, why 4-year-olds? Why not 3-year-olds? At what point will the line be drawn, or will we be okay with birthing our children onto a socialist conveyor belt? Has the morality of our culture changed for better or for worse since 1852 when America first adopted compulsory attendance laws? Is it pure coincidence that the more time we spend in a classroom, the more immoral we become? Would spending less time in the classroom with peers and more time with parents who love the Lord be better or worse for a covenant child?
Parental convenience and worldly conformity are not matters warranted by Scripture. So if it's true (and the evidence is compelling) that God has given the responsibility of child-rearing to their mother and father, and if it's true that there is no educational benefit to early classroom instruction, what reason is the Church left with for providing Junior Kindergarten programs in their Christian schools? Each family would do well to investigate the answers to these questions themselves rather than assuming that the "Christianization" of a secular idea is what's best for their child.
1 Plato, The Republic, Book 5, Section 2: part 6, Also, compare with Laws, 804d, where Plato says that children "belong to the state rather than their parents."
2 Will and Ariel Durrant, Rousseau and Revolution, Simon and Schuster, New York, NY, 1967, p.179
I received a quality education at a conservative Christian school that has had a Pre-K (Junior K) for years. To say that "it's part of the devil's agenda to destroy the Christian family all along" is presumptive and also rather judgemental! We have wise, older godly men and women who are behind the decision making processes in our Christian schools - I don't think it's right to undermine their prayerful decisions by aligning it to the devil's work. I wouldn't see any harm in sending my child to Junior K for several hours a week (socializing and discovering with other Christian peers, learning to respect and listen to those in authority other than just parents, etc) - think of it as a "step up" from a playdate at the park with your friends' children.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what are your thoughts on homeschooling vs Christian school if a mother is unable due to any number of reasons (mental health/emotional instability, educational incompetence, etc.)? My mom raised 9 children - each of us with a university or college degree - instilling into us the fear of the Lord, a strong work ethic, frugal living etc. We had wonderfully home sewn clothing and home cooked meals every day. My mom is a virtual "proverbs 31" woman - however, her homeschooling us was completely out of the question. What are your thoughts?
Irene, I think your parents did a wonderful job of raising their kids! Brad and I often comment to each other about that. I hope, by God's grace, we'll be able to raise our children quite similarly.
DeleteI'm not prescribing homeschooling as the method for everybody for the reasons you mentioned. I'm thankful we have such a tremendous Christian school available for those who feel they absolutely cannot home-school. That's why we still support it financially too.
I have no doubt in my mind that the decision making in our Christian schools is made prayerfully and given many hours of thought by those in charge. No matter how much we pray and discuss a matter though, it's still our duty to make sure our choices are in line with Scripture and not based on current trends and/or the popular vote. That's what this post is addressing (or trying to anyway).
The hard part sometimes is that just because a decision is "prayerfully made" doesn't necessarily mean it was the right decision. I remember talking to a girl who was dating a guy who was not a Christian, and she asked whether I thought it was right or wrong for her to do so. When I showed her what the Bible said, she got so mad and responded, "But I have prayed for hours about it, and God showed me this was what he wanted for us." God never contradicts Himself.
DeleteAlso hard is that just because something works, that doesn't mean that this is how God intended it to be. See our current economic situation. It "worked" for decades, but now we are reaping/are going to reap the whirlwind.
I understand that :). And for the record, I'm not at all against homeschooling (when done well)! Who knows, if I'm ever blessed with kids, I may end up homeschooling some or all of them :O. But I personally can't make a scriptural argument promoting homeschooling vs. Christian school education.
Deletegreat post!
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, Jacinda! Thanks for being so bold as to state the truth!
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with your post! I am up in Canada and my brother is down in Virginia and he honestly sends his 3 year old to school for five mornings a week while his mother stays at home with his two younger siblings. It is funny the perspective because they think they are doing the best possible thing for their child and I just shake my head up in complete dismay.
ReplyDeleteOn a second note I did send my daughter to Jr. K last year and that was only because she was technically old enough to start kindergarten but I choose not to send her to that but hold her back a year instead. Next fall my son is of the age to start Jr. K and I can say it has been an emotional struggle to not send him because so many of his friends have already been in preschool for a couple of years and I feel as though I must be depriving him some how. It is hard to not always feel you need to do what every body else is doing.
Excellent post, Jacinda! I have many friends who choose to send their children to early school (preschool or pre-k) and I wish they could all read this article. They love their kids so much they either think they need to provide them with more that money can buy (hence the homes with two working parents) or that their kids deserve that early start. Sadly, these kids need more of us...and for much longer than 3 or 4 years.
ReplyDeleteJacinda, here in the US it is very common (almost "normal) for two and three year olds to "go to school".
ReplyDeleteWhen our oldest daughter was around 2 years old, my husband and I were asked by many of our friends if we were planning to send her to "preschool" so she could be with other children and learn. I was a bit taken back, since the thought had never crossed my mind! We quickly decided that home was the best place for our child, and have stuck with that conviction with each of our other children.
Our oldest is now 9 years old, and we are expecting our 5th child in a few weeks. I absolutely have NEVER regretted our decision to teach our chilren at home instead of sending them into the system at an early age. Our kids are creative and thriving at home... my floors stay pretty sticky and my house is never perfectly clean for long, but these years of shaping precious souls is worth so much more than "socialization" or "free time"!
I agree that it is normal and has been for years. I an a child of the 80s and was sent to preschool. Loved it, actually. But both my parents had to work. Their jobs provided very little and even though they worked hard we were on government assistance. Some people just have no other option. But having worked at Christian preschools I don't think anyone is thinking it is necessary for education. I think that for some mom's it is a break and a chance to spend quality time with a younger child while the older one gets to socialize with peers. For some it is a matter of necessity (though they aren't generally at a Christian school because of cost). And some just don't do amok arraying home with their kids all day every day. I like that there are alternatives within the Christian community. It may not be ideal but our society its far from ideal. I stay home with my kids and count it a blessing to be able to.
DeleteNot that long ago in Human history it would have been seen as improper to send any child under 6 to school! Four is just too young in my opinion. Society is doing a great job at telling parents that they are not good enough and that is just a LIE!
ReplyDelete'Society is doing a great job at telling parents that they are not good enough and that is just a LIE'. Well said. I hear 'i cannot' or 'i could never'..... when push comes to shove, we find out what we actually can do! And we sometimes find that it isn't as hard as we perceived. Also, we find that we don't actually have to measure one child against every other child.
DeleteNot long ago in human history most children did not receive any education and had to work in the fields, as maids for the wealthy, in horrible unsafe factories. Only the wealthy few received an education! I count my blessings I and my children were born at this time and had the benefit of a Christian education wherever it occurred.
DeleteAMEN!!!!! Thank you for coming out and saying it.
ReplyDeleteI am doing a college placement in a JK/SK split class and it is really hard. Yes the kids are adorable, but they need to be at home with thier mommies!!! They DO NOT need to be going to JK 2-3 days a week and then to day care the rest of the time, including after school on JK days.
These moms love their kids. I know that for a fact, but they feel the need to work and/or have to work. They see school as the best for their kids at age 4.... But, have they been offered any other solution??? I don't know. I am pretty sure some parents don't know any different.
It is frustrating system to work in.
I feel like pre-k is just a way of soothing parental guilt by renaming day care. I used to babysit a girl that at the rip old age of five was sent to pre-k for a half day, every other day, and then the rest of the time was filled out by "day care" at the same facility. She was dropped off at seven am and picked up and six-thirty. I wanted to say to her parents so badly that she's pulling longer hours a day than they were!
ReplyDeleteI'm now sitting for two little boys and the four year old is in his second year of pre-k. The things they expect out of these kids are ridiculous. It pains me to watch him try to write lower case letters when he just doesn't have the motor skills to do it. Why don't they focus on sound and sight recognition?!? I should be singing alphabet songs with him and doing flash cards not trying to help him write on a 3/4 inch rule writing pad.
So true! The pushing of academics to a younger and younger age despite the fact that few if any of the children are developmentally prepared for the task is a great concern to me. I went to graduate school with an emphasis in early literacy and it was bizarre to me that though our infant development course taught us that structured play with a caring and interactive caregiver was the best for children 0-5, we then had another course where the teacher thought every child should have preschool. In both cases though the professors shared the concern of formal reading and writing instruction at 3 and 4 (and for some kids even 5 and 6), being completely inappropriate. Sadly, this seems to be forced, not by the child development experts (some, but not all), but more by demanding parents and politicians who erroneously think that pushing academics on younger and younger children will help prevent them getting behind later on. Sadly, it seems that in many cases the opposite is true, as learning becomes a chore rather than an innate joy. Curiosity and creativity are stifled in the name of becoming a cog in the machine.
Delete(It was learning this during my own higher education and also working some at a public school that made me more certain than ever that I want to homeschool my own children).
So true! The pushing of academics to a younger and younger age despite the fact that few if any of the children are developmentally prepared for the task is a great concern to me. I went to graduate school with an emphasis in early literacy and it was bizarre to me that though our infant development course taught us that structured play with a caring and interactive caregiver was the best for children 0-5, we then had another course where the teacher thought every child should have preschool. In both cases though the professors shared the concern of formal reading and writing instruction at 3 and 4 (and for some kids even 5 and 6), being completely inappropriate. Sadly, this seems to be forced, not by the child development experts (some, but not all), but more by demanding parents and politicians who erroneously think that pushing academics on younger and younger children will help prevent them getting behind later on. Sadly, it seems that in many cases the opposite is true, as learning becomes a chore rather than an innate joy. Curiosity and creativity are stifled in the name of becoming a cog in the machine.
Delete(It was learning this during my own higher education and also working some at a public school that made me more certain than ever that I want to homeschool my own children).
Let me give my background: I have been a public school teacher for 14 years (most in Kindergarten). In June I quit my job (even after being Teacher of the Year) to homeschool my daughter...who had been in preschool from 2-4 years old and was in public school Kindergarten. It was great....for me. She desperately wanted to be back with her friends. It was hard for her being the only child at home. I think if I could have more children, it'd be easier for her to be home. We are a Christian family and truly believe God directed us to an amazing Christian school that she now attends. By the way, I was hired at the Junior Kindergarten teacher.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I think homeschool is an amazing thing...but it's not for everyone. A lot of families these days have a hard time making it in this economy. We were one. We are both teachers...so there's not a lot of pay there. We cut our budgets down to the bare bones....literally there is NOTHING left to cut. And then with the additional 2% taken out of paychecks last month from the government....well....some people have to work and put their kids in school.
To say that this is a way the devil is destoying families hurts. I do not believe this is the case in our family and with many others. I agree with the first poster that this was a little judgemental.
I also completely disagree with saying that there is no educational benefit to early classroom instruction. While not all classrooms/schools are run well, many are. I saw incredible things in my classroom and with my own child.
Family is the institution GOD created for child rearing, training, education, and most importantly - spiritual discipleship.
ReplyDeleteI'd never stopped to consider the irony of churches providing, what boils down to, a way out of that.
The notion, and much more the practice, of discipleship within the family is so lost and so rare within the Christian community. By God's grace it has not been completely abandoned, though! Let's pray for and encourage others to get back to it! God was very clear in Deuteronomy - teach them diligently and always.
I do believe it is best that a child be home with his/her mother for as long as possible, if at all possible! I do know that at times a mother finds herself as a widow or divorced and therefore has to work and needs a Christian place for her children, but I do feel children suffer by being sent off somewhere when they still need the constant love and nurture of their own mothers. I have a relative that sent her son to a Christian school because she felt pressured when he was very young, and she greatly regretted it when he was older. The negative affects it had on him were evident to her.
ReplyDeleteVery nicely said, Jacinda. I realize this article is regarding junior ed outside the home but this made me think a little deeper, not about homeschool per say but about the philosophy regarding Christian school itself. Let me know what you think…hope I’m not misunderstood here. I am a mom who started homeschooling our three kids very close in age from the beginning. My oldest now, 7th grade, just started going to an Independent Baptist Christian School this year (won’t go in to the reason now). I can’t really say that I “love” the Christian school’s philosophy of school. To be honest, in my opinion, it’s not a truck load of difference from public school. Yes, the curriculum is Godly centered, our school’s uniform is very modest, and humanism is not taught ..so on. There are a lot of positives of home based education too. But what is bothering me the most is that seemingly, to me, that the Christian schools that I know of around here in GA are geared to “let’s get them ready for college!!!!!”…don’t have time to learn…just hurry up and let’s memorize this stuff for the test…then on to the next chapter quickly..(gotta get the whole book covered..hurry, hurry, hurry)..and repeating that over and over. Where is the beauty in learning anymore? Taking time to enjoy God’s world and being out in the great outdoors learning and not cooped up in a classroom all day…. I’m talking about high school students too! Also, why are Christian schools so focused on “entertainment” of sports. Don’t get me wrong sports are good but this focus of an “entertainment” kind of life is not good for children either. So my thoughts of Christian school is hurry up learn…make good grades for college…so you can get a good job then on to we need those great athletes for our school so we can be number one in the region/state. So….my question is who is teaching our children to work hard with his hands in the fields, helping the older couple down the street paint, mow grass, boys how to even raise/hunt for their own food, girls to know how to sew, cook, care for the home...the very basics of knowing how to live?. That would be us as parents, our job. But do we have time to teach these fine lessons if we are shipping our children out to school, more homework taking the place of our family learning time, sports, sports, and more sports…which are all wink on being the right thing to do from the “away from home…. school” I think America has so forgotten how to make a real living education for our children because it’s so mesmerized itself on “elite education and entertainment” that once we fall into another depression we will be sorry. Thanks for the article.
ReplyDeleteWe just need to look to the Bible for God's example of how our children are to be taught. It is very clear that it is the Mother/Father's responsibility to train up their children.....not a teacher. This mandate is even given to the grandparents as well. I will go a step further and say that Sunday School/Children's Church is separating family unity. When Jesus taught, it is very clear that it was to the adults, children, and even the babes that suck....all together. I know many will say their circumstances are different (single parent, etc....) but I'm saying for the majority of Christian families, we need to look to scripture for God's example on raising our children.
ReplyDeleteTwo mornings a week for 6 hrs total, in a christian school with 6-8 other kids is hardly the devils work. By the way, many schools in the US, and in NJ specifically have the cut off date for kindergarten in the summer. Our christian school's cut off is July, and thus there are NO 4 year olds going to kindergarten (unlike Ontario). Also with readiness testing at most schools here, many boys who are born in the summer, and girls as well, are still held back a year. I don't think the trend is to send younger kids to school here.... there is a recognition that children need to be mature enough to handle school. Since my very social youngest (two year old) was born in the fall, she will likely be able to enjoy two mornings a week with other kids,(at age 4).
ReplyDeleteI believe that many parents who both work send their kids earlier and earlier to "preschool" for their convenience but it is really just another name for daycare. I have a real problem with THAT as a SAHM, (when it is not financially necessary).
I regret if this sounds forceful, but I do believe your sharp headlines and hyperbole does not do service to a civil discussion of these issues. The devil takes delight in ALL discord and a critical spirit that lacks in love. The leaps in reasoning regarding cause and effect are quite astonishing. Our society has abandoned morality because it has abandoned God. Certainly the devil uses EVERY means possible to keep us and our children from God, but labeling JK as a significant means, is rather shallow, and thus the disclaimer at the beginning of the article does nothing to ameliorate the harshness of your rhetoric. Finally, there is an assumption that the teachers of JK would not be godly women who might be a positive influence in their students life. At my school, there is a strong biblical emphasis, with scripture memorization, bible stories and the like. Please reconsider "shooting from the hip" in the future.
Lora
Lora,
DeleteI agree that I could have been kinder and gentler in my tone. It's hard to convey how I truly feel about an issue through within the confines of written word. I sorry for being harsh.
I used the term "the devil's agenda" because, if you look back at history to where this idea came from, you'll know it generally stemmed from sexually perverted Marxists who were indeed promoting Satan's agenda and had clear disregard for anything remotely biblical. This is not my personal opinion. It is factually based, hence the quotes from two "intellects" responsible for our current education system.
Also, I assume the best about those who teach JK in Christian schools as well as public schools. They do it because they love children, and many of them ARE indeed godly role models for their students. This does not mean, however, that the system is biblically-based no matter how good the intentions are.
You are absolutely correct, "Our society has abandoned morality because it has abandoned God," and I think our education system has had an enormous role in that.
If you suggest the system is not biblically based although intentions are good, when do you think it becomes biblically based? At age five, age six? Do you see the illogic of your argument? I think the underling problem is that in the end you really don't believe any education outside the home can be biblically based, and thus your bias comes through.
DeleteThis is ok by me, but it would be better tone more honest with yourself as well as your readership.
I appreciate your reply to me (above), and I hope I haven't offended you. Iron sharpens iron.
No, you haven't offended me. You're much older (I mean that very respectfully!) and wise than I am and have given me lots to think about. :-)
DeleteI was wondering when/if someone would make the comment you just did: "If you suggest the system is not biblically based although intentions are good, when do you think it becomes biblically based? At age five, age six?" It's a question I think every family needs to answer for themselves.
You're correct in that I am biased towards homeschooling because I believe it's the biblical model of education.(Proverbs 22:6; Deuteronomy 6:5-9; Ephesians 6:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Proverbs 13:20; Proverbs 1:8;)
I've never heard a solid Scriptural argument in favor of age-segregated, classroom modeled education conducted the majority of the time by someone other than a child's parent. This is our personal conviction, however, and does not mean we view those who send their children to school to somehow be living in sin! Each family is accountable to the Lord for their own educational choices which are not ours to judge.
Homeschooling carries its own share of problems and there are plenty of example I'm not proud of. Ultimately, we've made the choice because that's what we believe the Lord desires of us.
Honey, your gracious always amazes me!
DeleteJacinda,
DeleteI'm over the whole homeschooling arguments, for and against. I do not plan to homeschool, but I don't have a problem with those who do. I do have to ask though, how can you reconcile these two thoughts (quotes from you)?
1. "I am biased towards homeschooling because I believe it's the biblical model of education."
2. "This [...] does not mean we view those who send their children to school to somehow be living in sin!"
and
"The hard part sometimes is that just because a decision is "prayerfully made" doesn't necessarily mean it was the right decision. I remember talking to a girl who was dating a guy who was not a Christian, and she asked whether I thought it was right or wrong for her to do so. When I showed her what the Bible said, she got so mad and responded, "But I have prayed for hours about it, and God showed me this was what he wanted for us." God never contradicts Himself. "
If homeschooling is the only biblical way of educating your children, how can "regular" (for lack of a better word) schooling, also be biblical? How can homeschooling be a biblical mandate for you and not someone else? You have to think that other people are sinning in this regard based on your explanation of reasons for homeschooling.
ANYWAY I'm rambling a bit because Elijah is squawking :) I just wanted to hear your thoughts on this.
Esther
Hey Est :)
DeleteReally great question!
For us the mandate isn't that we must homeschool, it is that we must do everything in our power to train up our children in the fear of the Lord, for all the reasons in the verses that Jacinda quoted. For us, this means homeschooling. I simply see no need for school, what with all the excellent helps available, the Homeschooling conference(where people can go to others who have actually done this thing and get advice), and so many other resources. But I can in no way anticipate the life circumstances of everyone, and so cannot prescribe this for everybody. Everybody needs to make the best decision they can with what they've been given.
Some people will read Deut. 6:7 "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up" and come to the conclusion that they can send their 12 month old to day care because this is doing everything in their power; and it might very well be. Other people will read this and come to the conclusion that their children may never leave the house until they are 23 years old, or they will have failed to live up to this; and it might very well be.
Thanks for your answer! I understand your position on homeschooling much more clearly now - I think it hasn't always come across that way in some blog posts and that's where all the controversy and misunderstandings come into play.
DeleteHere's why I DO believe that the trend is to send younger kids to school. The following quote is from The Pascal Report which is currently practiced in Ontario, thanks to our former premier, Dalton McGuinty:
ReplyDelete"The report is about so much more than replacing part-time kindergarten with a full-day program for 4- and 5-year-olds...it's about transforming schools into vibrant, family-centred learning hubs. Instead of operating for the regularly scheduled six hours a day, 188 days a year, they would open from 7:30 in the morning till 6 at night year-round."
My husband and I both agree that our children will stay home until age 6, but its because of a previous decision that I will be a stay at home mom once we had kids. For many moms who feel the need to work, or want to, they've already gone back long before their child is 3, or 4 and so it turns into a simple transition from taking their child to daycare in the morning, to taking them to school! If it could be assumed that most moms stay home until their children are school age (whatever age we may be talking about) then its easier to suggest they don't send their children until grade 1.
ReplyDeleteI know you write lots of posts on staying at home with children too, and I feel that topic has to be approached when talking about keeping kids out of the school system until they are a bit older. For the moms who ARE working, where are those children going to go in the mean time?
-Tamara
Hi Jacinda,
ReplyDeleteI'm joining the fray, it seems! Anyway, here's where the difference in opinion comes in (I think). You believe that sending your children to a christian school is not "biblically based" as stated above in your response. Quite frankly, I read the Bible texts you use as "proof" texts and I don't see them the same way as you do! I don't see the sending my daughter to a private Christian school as going against God's Word. And I would also say that MANY christians would agree that those texts do not mean that homeschooling is the "only way" or the prescribed "biblical way." I would venture to say that those in leadership in our FRC churches are for both options (homeschooling AND christian school) and would guess that they would all strongly warn against using the public school. So, in many ways, you are touting a "new" perspective which many christians disagree with -myself included. I'm not sending Juliet to pre-k because "the experts" have told me to do so. I have thought about this myself, and see the benefits of her going. I don't believe that the only reason Christian schools are including pre-k is because they think it necessary to "go the way of culture" or have no choice but to "provide an option for parents to utilize the secular system" (your words, not mine). Do you see how negative you are making Christian schools appear (or how ignorant, for that matter?) Our christian school provides pre-k for a total of 6 hours of week for children so that they have a positive school experience! It isn't done to follow "secular culture", etc.! My schools puts a lot of emphasis on children playing together and not at all on academics in any way (I'm talking pre-k here). So, I think you have to be careful with you wording as you make it sound as if Christian schools are simply following secular trends and are not thinking things through. This is getting way to long, but I want to provide a positive of my four year old going to school. She LOVES it! I have seen a big difference in how she interacts with other children - for the better! Being an only child, it is good for her to be in an environment where everything doesn't revolve around her. And so, without any guilt, I send her to pre-k and ask God to bless it!!!!
I think it's wonderful to have an option for values-based play time for the pre-school set (because truly, that is what most preschool is - guided play time, hopefully guided by caring adults with a good foundation in both child development and the Word). For moms who have to work (injured spouses, widows, etc.) it is a true blessing to know that your child is being lovingly looked after by someone who shares your values. I myself went to pre-school at a Lutheran church and learned my ABCs, 123s, made good friends and still vividly remember marching around the sanctuary 7 times with kazoos play reenacting the battle of Jericho.
ReplyDeleteThat said, research also shows that staying home with an involved parent tends to be best for preschool development. It's what I plan to do with my own children if I'm ever so blessed and am taking steps to make that possible even now as a single woman.
I share your concern in mandatory preschool education, the research is very mixed. For most children there is no benefit (at it's best, it's as good as staying home with a loving mom) and may in fact be some great harm (in poorly run facilities, for instance, of which there are many, I did graduate level research in some). However, I think calling a Christian preschool program the work of the Devil is an exaggeration that is more judgmental to our brothers and sisters in Christ than it should ever be.
Jacinda,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your heart so much! Thank you for the information on Rousseau; he, Marx, Dewey, and others have been used to do great a deal of damage to the family structure and a biblical worldview. Here is where I think other damage has been done: "Society is doing a great job at telling parents that they are not good enough and that is just a LIE'. I hear 'i cannot' or 'i could never'..." This is taken from someone else's comment, but I think it is accurate for most mothers that consider home-education. I know I felt that way; when push came to shove, I found out what I actually could do and I'm so glad we did! I think it is all part of God's sanctifying work in the believer. If someone isn't yet a believer and understanding that Christ is doing a work in His people, they will not understand.
This is all good to think about, and maybe, it will help someone to see it differently. Bless you, dearie.
I don't feel as strongly about it as you, but I do keep my kids home until five. Everyone asks if they're going to pre-K and is just shocked that they aren't, but my daughter who is now in first grade is one of the best readers in her class. I am not depriving my children, although I've been told that and worse in online forums. I do think it will get to the point that Pre-K will be compulsory.
ReplyDeleteIn my Mom's generation, there was no kindergarten, just first grade. Most children didn't start first grade until age 6. They first instituted Kindergarten the year after she began school. She graduated in '74.
ReplyDeleteI think even the Christian schools offer the Pre-K option to accommodate the moms who work. Many of the moms I know from church work and even a couple of the homeschooling moms I know have part-time jobs. (I can't imagine how they do it!) The public school format takes advantage of that as well. It's more about free babysitting than education really. The percentage of mothers who work or are looking for work(with children under age 18) was 70.6 percent in 2011.
As a mom, I feel the full weight of accountability to God for the raising of my children. With things as uncertain as they are these days and undoubtedly some sinister agendas going on in most of the public school system, I'm not about to turn my precious children over to just anybody. I attended Christian school as a child and didn't have a very good experience, so I don't trust them with my children either. I would rather make do without that little bit of extra income and KNOW that my children are in good hands--mine.
You are absolutely, 100% right on this! It's sad, but it is part of the ongoing encroachment into family life, family time, family bonds. The more family is separated and segregated, the easier it is to fragment and marginalize the family and the intergenerational teaching of values (and subsequent handing off to the government of the same).
ReplyDeleteHere in the states it is more common than not to send 2- and 3-year-olds to "school." Some are even all-day programs, and many, sadly, are from church-run preschools. It seems that whatever bad ideas the world dishes out, the church is eager to jump on board.
I was just reading "Farmer Boy," in which Almanzo did not go to school until he was NINE. And in my own home education, I have found that lessons are going much more easily and much more quickly now that I'm working with a 6-year-old boy instead of last year's nightmare when he was five. I am a heavy proponent of waiting for formal education - easier to teach, and leaves more time for children to be children.
Thanks for bringing this up.
The age at which a child begins school is arbitrary. Although it has never been our choice, I see no inherent evil in junior kindergarten, especially in a Christian environment. My mother began kindergarten at age 3 with no deleterious results. In the Netherlands, where education is compulsory, children are enrolled at age 4.
ReplyDeleteIf learning from anyone other than mama is wrong, Paul had no business at the feet of Gamaliel! And for that matter, my children have no business at swimming, art lessons, or choir. In addition to the very valid reasons which Irene stated, I would add the child’s character and circumstances under “etc.” Our children have experienced their primary years at home, and overall, it was a pleasant, beneficial time in their lives. Does this mean that I would prescribe the same for all families in all circumstances? Absolutely not!
As for the evil of compulsory education – I could make a list of persons with whom I was personally acquainted who would have been delighted to be compelled to be in school. One egregious example will suffice: my paternal grandfather, who began his bricklaying career at age 9 (after all, there were many more mouths to feed by that time.)
To view the Christian school as the option of last resort for “those who feel they absolutely cannot home-school” ostensibly makes it a society of losers.
The inherent evil is not in JK, it is just in the increasingly early ages that "experts" are trying to get parents to send their children away. The frog in the frying pan isn't going to squawk when you remind him that the temperature has climbed 5 degrees in the last 1/2 hour, on the contrary, he will tell you how much it suits his lifestyle, and gets his blood going, so that can't be all bad can it?
DeleteWhen we realize the end game of this earlier and earlier to school thing, the "family-centered learning hubs" "7:30 in the morning 'til 6 at night" kind of end game, and we realize that people that actually think like this are considered experts, this is a scary kind of world, and we haven't even looked at what sources they are studying to get such expert opinions. Parents are taking advice from these people?
If only teaching from Mama is allowed, you are right that Paul would have been sinning at the feet of Gamaliel. This is a point we can both agree on, but we also both agree that not only Mama may teach.
Evil of compulsory education comment: Most 9 year old boys I know would rather not be in school, but this doesn't prove anything. In a free country, with access to a good education, I don't know why the government sees fit to compel anybody to do anything; but they probably care about kids more than the parents...maybe...or not.
Last resort: I hope you don't view it this way; we certainly don't.
It is in the best interest of a country to have an educated citizenry but the demand for younger education stems from parents wanting free childcare at a younger age. And we the tax payer pay for it.
DeleteMy choice to send my child for six hours per week of peer interaction and play as well as a rudimentary introduction to letters and counting is hardly an attempt by our Christian school to "get" the children away from the family unit. If jk was not offered at the school, I would not be upset or seek out a secular school. I sent my kids because it was available and they enjoyed it. That's all. If they couldn't handle it I would have pulled them.
My nine year old boy enjoys school and does very well. I can just imagine the deleterious effects on the church first and then society if children or unwise parents could decide their children do not need to be educated ( one way or another). What wise leadership we would (not) have... Unable to properly read and understand the bible, commentaries, good books etc. No curiosity or thirst or ability to learn more about this amazing planet God created.
Do you really think that if government wasn't forcing us to go to school we wouldn't learn anything? On the contrary, there is a ton of evidence that once government started monopolizing education, American literacy rates plummeted. I will have to provide some of this stuff later, but America has never been dumber, and education has never been more government controlled.
DeleteI think there are enough irresponsible parents who would not ensure their children were properly educated. We find egregious examples of this in the homeschool community. Now so as not to provoke a reaction, I must say there are wonderfully educated children who are home schooled. I do not believe children should be forced into government schools. I am anti government monopoly of education. A requirement to educate your children is not equivalent to forcing kids into poor public schools. Flourishing Christian and private schools are evidence of this. The problem is the cost structure with tax money only going to the monopoly. I believe in school choice and a voucher system. I in no way support the failing public schools.
DeleteI might suggest that when you paint with a broad brush, you will never win over those with different opinions. It's time to investing some fine art portraiture brushes and leave the house painting brushes at home ;).
Finally, I agree that in the history of public education there are those leftists who desire to replace family control with state control and use the public education system to do so. However, the article never did explain the danger of my child attending Christian pre k as the title suggests. It is of course pretty extreme to suggest that 6 hours per week in Christian school is dangerous, and that is perhaps why this counter argument cannot be addressed.
I am sorry to be so long winded and reply so often. I shall refrain in the future. I am not even a big proponent of early education. I stay at home so I am with my kids as much as possible. I just believe you ought to be much more nuanced in your approach and condemnation. It might win more people over to your cause.
Sorry for the lengthy replies... I shall refrain from comments in the future as I do not wish to be an offense.
Thank you for this! I know you do so with a heart for speaking the truth and not intent to condemn. It is a good thing for people to make purposeful decisions for their families and not just go with the flow. I hope that many will pray more thoroughly about this decision.
ReplyDeleteThis is a hard topic, and I think you've covered it with grace, as usual. :) I absolutely 100% ditto Jacqueline. While I changed my major at the last minute, I was originally an education major and a huge supporter of preschools--get them away from their parents ASAP. The children needed to be with the experts! Then, I believed that part time preschool was best, so that they were still with their parents but also learning how to listen to someone else. There are some great, big-hearted teachers out there, and I wonder how many others are indoctrinated with the same mentality I was, without realizing it.
ReplyDeleteWhen my first born got clingy at 8 months, I freaked out and immediately sought out preschools that would take her. Now I look back and think, "Huh, imagine that! An eight month old who wanted her mother!" Homeschooling was being laid on my heart more and more, and I pulled her out before she went into K4.
That was the last time we sent a child to preschool and the others have managed just fine. I know children enjoy social time with their friends and mothers enjoy time to themselves every now and then, but there was just a subtle hint--a seed planted, if you will--of telling parents that when it came to education, their little ones were better off in the hands of another.
We sent both of our children to a Christian Preschool. At age 3 they went one day a week for 3 hours and at ages 4-5 they went 2 days a week for 3 hours. It was great and they loved it and learned so much. My children are older now and in public school but if I could go back to when they were 3-4-5 I would do preschool at home just because I like having them home and looking back now I see that I could have done it just fine. At the time I felt inadequate. :/
ReplyDeleteMy three year old goes to pre-school at a wonderful Christian school. Her teachers are godly, loving ladies who inspire her to pray, sing praises and love God and her neighbour. When she comes home I am here to greet her, love her, parent her and, sometimes even learn something from her. Please be careful with attributing the "devil's agenda" to anything that is different from how you were raised and how you interpret your parental mandate. There are different ways to live out the Christian walk. I am sad when I see judgements on those who believe they have made good biblical decisions regarding their kids' education. God bless you.
ReplyDeletedffyuy: In one of my comments above I explained why I used the term "devil's agenda." It's because a look back at history shows that this idea came sexually perverted Marxists who were indeed promoting Satan's agenda and had clear disregard for anything remotely biblical. This is not my personal opinion. It is factually based, hence the quotes from two "intellects" responsible for our current education system.
DeleteResearch tells us that the first five years are the most important...the government realizes this, so it shouldn't surprise us that will continue to lower the recommended age to "begin" school.
ReplyDeleteIndoctrination has always been there goal. Our school system was based on german models with the purpose of government indoctrination of the people. (Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning--Douglas Wilson) If you are familiar with homeschoolers struggles in Germany today, you know that we should be fearful and watchful of our government's hands in our education choices.
When I look at the many "problems" of our country, I often remark that the root is the breakdown of the Christian family and churches. I agree that it is Satan's agenda. The less a child is within its Christian family and church, the more they believe that "worldly" ways/thoughts/beliefs are normal and righteous. Some say that a homeschooled child is sheltered. There are many things my young children do not know about that their peers do. I don't intend for them to never know these things, but to know about them when they are mature enough to make a decision about right/wrong. It really is a matter of Christian indoctrination vs. Worldly indoctrination. For example: The situation my children live in teaches them that marriage is between 1 woman & 1 man (while my husband and I have friends that are gay and we try ministering to, our children are unaware of the situation) and that divorce is not very common and only in the most adverse situations (and in those situations the church family helps the single parent and children). When my children were in public school, children with divorced parents were a "normal" situation and the unit studies on "Family" included situations outside 1 man & 1 woman, because their classmates lived in these families. When these situations become the "norm", it tells our children that it is okay. More importantly, when my children learn of these situations, I want to be there to answer their questions and have a discussion based on Biblical Truths. While Christian schools can often do this, they are still a school, and such discussions may be pushed aside to complete academic teaching. While homeschooling, I can take as much time as necessary to address such discussions and history/math/etc. can wait...because in the end, it is their soul I most concerned with. I too understand that homeschooling is not an option for everyone, but I am pointing out why it is my choice and why I believe that Satan would most certainly desire to break our children away from us...while we fight worldly indoctrination, Satan is fighting our Christian indoctrination.
Many years ago we were concerned about the same thing in the USA. The reality of it is though that the government simply cannot afford to institute such a program and so they have not. We do have Head Start for underprivileged children and those children really do need help because of their home life.
ReplyDelete