This paper challenges those involved in early childhood education to reexamine unquestioned assumptions concerning the benefits of early schooling. A synergic effect is posited by bringing together research areas that had formerly remained somewhat autonomous: Neurophysiology, vision, hearing, parent attitudes, affective domain, comparative school…

This paper is an interdisciplinary review of literature related to early childhood education over the past five years. Although some references to infancy and toddlerhood are included, the emphasis is on children's learning and education in the preschool and primary grades (age 3 through age 9-10). Chapter I, The Early Childhood Problem, is an…

Summarizes an extensive survey of research on early education and questions the need for State intervention. (Author)

Research cited supports the conclusion that early childhood education should not be taken out of the home and placed in schools and day care centers. The risks of speeding up children's learning, the value of mothering and the contradictions between research and practical application are examined. (ST)