EXCERPTS
Your report on my preliminary research on the impact of full-day kindergarten did not put enough emphasis on the significant benefits of full-day kindergarten (Academic Benefits Fade By End Of Grade 1: Study - March 28).
I stressed that the findings of the study show the strong vocabulary and self-regulation benefits of full-day kindergarten. These are the cornerstones for life-long benefits of early childhood programs, including better education and mental health.
Other related benefits found in the study, such as reducing family stress, were not mentioned.
Cherry-picking to create a negative impression regarding positive research results is not helpful to the public discourse about something as important as early childhood education.
Janette Pelletier, professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto