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I believe that a universal preschool would offer an opportunity for the children from disadvantaged homes. Attending this kind of program means a developmental milestone has been met. Although it may impose a hardship for families of the developmentally challenged children as they may be excluded. Then this may become an even larger social issue. Perhaps larger than the Educational and Health Care issues that looms at this time.

I do think that "universal" anything runs the risk of introducing more government into our lives. I would have more hope for the success of a program like this if it was part of the private sector. Or if it were to be state and community managed. If a universal preschool were in place it would require that a commitment be made to the program. Working parents would need to follow through with the responsibilities related to the attendance. Children would have to be socially and developmentily ready for daily attendance.

As this subject is addressed often by political candidates there is some questionable motives related to the advocacy of Universal preschool. It is more likely a pie in the sky and less likely to become a reality. There is a risk in believing that one candidate can change everything in their term if elected. Would it not be wiser and more realistic to promise to tackle one major problem at a time? There are certainly many areas that are calling for change and social reforms. But we should not rush and risk "throwing the baby out with the bath water." Efforts to improve programs that are in place may work just as well with some review and revisions.

There are some good possibilities that if a child is ready for preschool, this program would be a stabilizing factor. If this child has the consistent support of the family, it may benefit this child. The child needs a family who can manage the commitment to this type of program on a consistent basis. Only then I believe it might set a path and a better start in academic areas. With with some reluctance I think this type of program might run the risk of more social discourse and struggles for some.

Society has a way of evolving, sometimes without promises from our leadership.
Political discourse and their thrust for accomplishments on the rhetoric side, leaves us sometimes falling victim to over ambition and leads to fractured hopes in the end.

Learn more about this author, Olivia Bredbenner.
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