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As a former Early Childhood Educator and supporter of early learning. I think it would be better for school systems to implement preschool based classroom. Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education have very different learning approaches and philosophies. When the early childhood approach is left out, a succession of early learning steps are omitted.

Early childhood classrooms include a variety of hands on and self guided projects. While the typical elementary education classroom provides a variety of teacher directed activities. Children in a self directed early childhood classroom can initiate learning at their own level and run with ideas that will stimulate their intellectual growth and development. Such classrooms are often open to learning centers that offer their participants the ability to move with ease between activities.

While both the early childhood classroom and the early elementary classroom may appear the same to the casual observer they are much different in flexibility. Both classrooms appear to have centers set up which may include; a housekeeping area, a reading center, a science center, and perhaps an art center. However, the difference lies in the subject matter or content. The art center in the early childhood classroom typically has a variety of art activities to choose from, and a variety of materials to use with a classroom aide or parent volunteer assisting as needed. The ideas however would be totally up to the preschool student to initiate. The elementary classroom art center while wonderfully stocked with numerous supplies may lack the assistance of additional staff or volunteers to help facilitate the activities and thus limit the freedom of the overall experience.

Additionally, time is a big factor when it comes to early learners and their teachers. Half days work best for early learners. Some children at this age and developmental stage are not ready for a full day of stimulation. They lack the stamina required to stay focused for long periods of time and simply wear out. Breakfast is often early as the family gets ready for work and older children ready for school. Little ones need rest periods and plenty of free movement time. They require naps, snacks, lots of tenderness and full days often cannot accommodate their needs leading to fatigue and early burnout.

School systems are in need of some form of early education, as parents are unable to provide the funding for preschool experiences

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