Preschool Boycott!
Election Day: Tuesday, June 6th!
Toddler expressed outrage at being forced into preschool... as he yells, "Hell NO! We Won't Go!" in
front of the California State Capitol Building
Tots Abandon Circle Time and Demand a
NO Vote on California's Proposition 82
Posted: Monday, May 29, 2006, 8:01 a.m. PST
Sacramento, CA (UP) -- California preschoolers are calling for a massive boycott of all
preschools on Election Day, Tuesday, June 6th, demanding more time at home with mom and
dad. Tired of being prematurely pushed out of their homes and into classrooms where
regimented academic instruction has stunted their intellectual, social, and emotional
development, tiny tots will utilize a statewide "Tantrum-In" at 8:00 a.m. PST
on June 6th to get their message across to California's citizens to vote NO on Rob Reiner's
Proposition 82 - The Preschool-For-All Act.
Stop Preschool Hype!
"Stop the preschool hype!" one pint-sized demonstrator shouted at his parents as
he hurled his sippy cup across the kitchen. "Don't you know that there is overwhelming
scientific evidence that I learn better through imaginative play right here at home with you?"
Today's announcement came shortly after the National Institute for Early Education Research
released a report estimating the state would get back $2.78 for every $1 it invests in the
Proposition 82 preschool program. Those findings echo a similar study by the RAND Corporation.
The activist group Tykes On Trikes (TOT) insists the reports ignore contrary data by California's
Legislative Analyst, and are skewed, biased, and paid for by proponents of Prop 82, such as The
Packard Foundation and teachers' organizations that stand to gain from institutionalizing little
kids. A spokes-toddler for the group went so far as to claim that; "Publicly funded
preschool-for-all programs are a feat of social engineering to groom human resources for corporate
profit and guarantee jobs for teachers. They have nothing to do with what is best for little kids."
Preschooler demands California voters - Vote NO on Proposition 82.
Institutionalized Children Harmed
Citing studies compiled by Stanford University's Hoover Institution research fellow, Mary Eberstadt,
in her book, Home Alone America, as well as results from the recent PACE study by U.C. Berkeley
researchers, and a call to action by the Alliance For Childhood to stop academic instruction and
testing of preschoolers, the diminutive representative warned that, "Institutionalizing young
children can damage them psychologically, emotionally, socially and physically. That damage to
children extends to the society at large. Collective research from child development and brain
research experts provides overwhelming scientific evidence that contradicts the distortions prevalent
in the popular media that preschool is good for kids. The experts have concluded that a nurturing
home life full of imaginative play will foster initiative, intellectual curiosity, social empathy,
and self-esteem resulting in a happy child with a life-long love of learning."
Disgruntled TOT's Wreak Havoc
Tykes on Trikes hit the streets in demonstration against universal preschool.
One mom in Marin, distraught after her child smeared bubble gum all over her school clothes and
hair so she wouldn't have to go to preschool, called 911 for advice. A rescue team was dispatched
with peanut butter to clean up the goo. Reporters, alerted to the dispatch, requested an interview
with the tiny demonstrator who said, "Preschool is a stupid, boring waste of my time. I just
want to stay home and read storybooks cuddled in my mommy's lap." With tear-filled eyes, the
mother cut short the question-and-answer session saying, "Thank you all for coming, but I'm
going to read to my daughter now."
Parents all over the state are reporting similar incidents of disgruntled tots refusing to attend
preschool. After a morning of reading stories, going for walks in the neighborhood, and baking
cookies together one parent in Fresno commented, "I had forgotten how much fun it is to spend
time with my child. Her natural curiosity drove our morning -- we read, learned about nature on our
walk, and I even taught her about measurement when we were baking! Maybe she doesn't need public
preschool after all."
PUP Stages Group Tantrum
PUP member joins group tantrum
Members of the more moderate group, Preschoolers Unhappy with Preschool (PUP), staged a small,
impromptu group tantrum at a local park in Orange County today. Children refused to share their
sandbox toys until their parents' agreed they didn't have to go to preschool. PUP representatives
Kaitlyn and Ethan, applauded the parents decision not to invoke disciplinary measures against the
protestors. PUP also issued a written statement complimenting parents for their "graciousness"
in dealing with today's demonstration.
Parents were so delighted after experiencing the profound joy of spending time with their own
children, they formed a group of their own, Parents United for Preschoolers (PUP), where they,
and other experts, espouse the benefits of imaginative play and parental involvement.
The official "Preschool Boycott" will take place on Election Day, Tuesday, June 6th. TOT
representatives chose the day to encourage a NO vote on Proposition 82, and to protest tax dollars
being spent on government subsidized preschool-for-all programs. Said one young protestor, "I
encourage all of my fellow tax deductions to boycott preschool and be sure to accompany their parents
to the polls to Vote No on Proposition 82 on June 6th."
TOT Recommends
Parents seeking ideas on what to do with their preschoolers on June 6th can get free, fun activities
that encourage a love of learning in the first five years of life by visiting any one of the following
websites:
Tykes On Trikes, in solidarity with preschoolers throughout the state of California and beyond,
hope to end the senseless practice of institutionalizing young children, beginning with the
Preschool Boycott Day on June 6th and a No Vote on Proposition 82.
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