The Answer Sheet: Pushy parents forget about play

The partnership runs dozens of preschool programs for thousands of children of all faiths in Maryland, Northern Virginia and the District -- and many of these directors see parents getting ever more anxious. Directors of other preschool programs at churches and civic organizations echoed the observations.

There is solid research on the benefits of well-designed play that teaches kids to ask questions and find their own answers. Unknowing parents see their kids playing at a water table and think they are wasting their time.

"I don't blame the parents," said one preschool program director. "In public school kindergarten, the kids better hit the ground running. These pishers are supposed to write three- and four-word sentences."

The reason for all of this is No Child Left Behind, which has pushed curriculum down into the earliest grades and put the focus on high-stakes standardized tests that start as early as third grade.

That's why the preschool directors I spoke with (who did not want to be identified because, obviously, they didn't want their students' parents upset) said they have great sympathy for the parents.

"I've had parents sit and agree with me," said one. "They say, 'I know you are right, but I can't do it.' "

What they "can't do" is stop pushing so hard that they kill the joy of learning in their children before second grade.

People!

However super-educated you are, I am going to bet that most of you don't have a degree in child development.

This is the only time your child has to be a child!

Can you at least wait until your child gets into first grade before you start driving him or her academically crazy?

What have been your experiences with preschool? Do you sympathize with parents like the ones described above?