Matter of Public Opinion

As child advocates, our challenge is not to have people want these goals (of positive and healthy development) for their children but to demand them for all children.
—Bill Bentley, President and CEO of Voices for America’s Children

From my perspective, I believe that the public has come to understand the importance of caring and education our young from the moment of conception.  There is so much research to support that “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”—Frederick Douglass that the public cannot ignore how important the field of early childhood is.  My thinking is highly influenced by the history of the field learnt this week.  We went from no government support to an official early childhood system supported by the government and other government funding for private preschools.  That sort of change can only take place because the public is starting to realize the truth in Frederick Douglass’s words.

With the help of advocates in my cohort, I hope the public over the next five years, realizes the tremendous impact social emotional development has on all aspect of a child’s life.  I pray the public realizes the need for preschool for all children in order to ensure a future that is bright.  Preschool settings monitored and regulated by the government with strict academic, social, and emotional curricula to promote healthy development of children and their families. 

If universal preschool were to come to fruition, issues such as access to service would no longer be an issue since preschool would be treated like all other grades.  Issues such as competent professionals, funding, and quality would remain an issue that advocates in my cohort would need to continue to fight for.