Giving Compass' Take:

· According to Education Dive, a number of early-childhood advocates and experts are alarmed at the rapid growth of online preschool programs and are encouraging caution due to the negative effects of prolonged exposure to screens for young children.

· How can the federal government support access to preschool programs for all families? What are some worries advocates have with online preschool programs? 

· Read and learn more about the effects of online preschools.

The petition posted by Defending the Early Years and the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood asserts that “virtual preschool may save states money, but it’s at the expense of children and families.” It also ends with a plea for universal preschool programs: “All children deserve high quality early education, and we call on local, state, and federal agencies and policymakers to reject online preschools and invest in fully-funded, relationship-based, universal prekindergarten programs with proven long-term benefits.”

The option of free universal preschool, however, is not currently available in most states and some researchers still question its benefits. Until states have enough resources to support universal preschool programs without cutting funds for K-12 efforts, online preschool may remain the best option for families who don’t have access to — or choose not to use—more traditional preschool programs. Even so, the concerns of the experts and educators who signed the petition do draw attention to some of the pitfalls of online programs and will likely influence how parents manage their children's screen time and think about more personal, hands-on educational activities as well.

Read the full article about online preschool programs by Amelia Harper at Education Dive.