"Preschool as a Wellspring for Democracy" by Joy D. Erickson and Winston C. Thompson

Article Title

Preschool as a Wellspring for Democracy: Endorsing Traits of Reasonableness in Early Childhood Education

Authors

Joy D. Erickson, University of New HampshireFollow
Winston C. Thompson, The Ohio State UniversityFollow

Abstract

Traits of reasonableness are necessary characteristics of successfully engaged citizens within pluralistic liberal democratic societies. Given the evident unlikelihood of the spontaneous development of these critical characteristics, pedagogical effort ought to be exerted towards ensuring that this goal is realized. In what follows, we argue that preschool presents a unique and compelling opportunity for supporting this worthy pedagogical aim, such that, despite purported prohibitions entailed within arguments for the political neutrality of curricula, it ought to be promoted within this area. In the service of illustrating this point, we provide four examples of promising beginnings for this work.

Response to this Article

Chris Martin,Is Reasonableness an Aim of Early Childhood Education?

Recommended Citation

Erickson, J. D. , Thompson, W. C. (2019). Preschool as a Wellspring for Democracy: Endorsing Traits of Reasonableness in Early Childhood Education. Democracy and Education, 27 (1), Article 1.
Available at: https://democracyeducationjournal.org/home/vol27/iss1/1

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