Preschool pressure may lead to burnout.

Too many reading drills, flash cards, and math worksheets in preschool may cause burnout a few years later, cautions Pat Clark, a Ball State University early childhood professor. Preschool instructors can introduce and reinforce academic concepts to children through play without the harsh reality of the academic world, she maintains.

"I think we are facing a major concern over pushing erupt academics into preschool, which may lead to problems later in life. What early childhood educators want in preschool is the development of attitudes and dispositions that are conducive to learning. We want children in the early grades who want to read, write, and learn. .

"But, if they have been doing flash cards and worksheets since ages three and four, it doesn't take long for learning to cease to be fun. We want children to have fun in preschool. That is where they can learn many important educational matters while socializing."

Clark partially attributes the recent push of academics into the preschool curriculum on parents and educators who are concerned that kids will not be ready for increasingly academic kindergartens. "Most parents...

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