Santorum's Controversial Speech on Early Childhood Education

Rick Santorum, GOP presidential candidate hopeful and former senator, disagrees with early childhood education programs.

While we, and most others, believe that parent involvement in early childhood education is quintessential to the development of a child’s brain, it’s also important to understand the value that early childhood educators and early childhood education programs are providing.

In contrast to the majority’s school of thought, GOP presidential candidate hopeful Rick Santorum is actually opposed to early childhood education. Santorum believes that early childhood education programs are the government’s attempt to indoctrinate children. At a recent campaign appearance, he stated, “It is a parent’s responsibility to educate their children. It is not the government’s job…. They want your children from the womb so they can indoctrinate your children as to what they want them to be. I am against that.” Santorum even practices what he preaches—he and his wife Karen are home-schooling their seven children until the ninth grade.

While most people do not question early childhood education, preschool programs have been proven to provide long-term benefits throughout a child’s life.

Do you agree with Santorum in that early childhood education is the sole responsibility of a parent and the government should not be involved? Share your thoughts by commenting below, or on our Facebook or twitter pages.