Pledge of Allegiance for Toddlers?

Politics and parenting (normally two separate though related dimensions in my life) collided yesterday when I checked out a Montessori program for my 2 year old. 'The children gather in a circle each morning and say the Pledge of Allegiance'.

What, even the 2 year olds? Well, the (admittedly wonderful) lady said, we didn't always do it that way for the toddler group, but one of them had a brother in the preschool (age 3-5) group, and he started reciting it one day during circle time, so that's how we started.

Ho hum. Whatever my feelings about having 10 year olds say it (mixed) and feelings about having 6 year olds say it (generally negative), I think it is absolutely ABSURD that anyone would want a small child of 4 or 3 or for heaven's sake TWO YEARS OLD to get it pre-programmed into their little minds long before they understand what any of it means.

In the meantime, a close friend's 5 year old comes home the other day saying 'I really want to fight for my country'.

When I was in school, we had to say the pledge, so I made up a version to say that no one could tell was different: I pledge my grievance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republicans, which I can't stand, nauseation, under trod, with liberty and justice reluctant.

I pledge allegience to .......wait .....wait.....wait.... liberty and justice for all.

'indoctrination'.

Or...um...brainwashing.

Montessori is SUPPOSED to be peaceloving, tolerant, liberal, diverse.. I am just disgusted. You know, it's just a pledge, but it's like shaping a small sapling. At age 2.

Because to the best of my knowledge it is only an educational method, and (speaking from experience) not a very good one on top.

But let's not go there.

I agree. This is totally ridiculous. There is no point in citing the pledge without understanding the meaning and brainwashing is the only proper description of this action.

Just put me down for one more "anti-patriotic" opinion.

What do you not like about the method? Because I have been astounded at how much my 4-year-old has developed in just 2 months. He's thriving, he loves his teachers and the whole routine. Is there something I should know??:scared:

...back in elementary school who would never participate for the daily Pledge and Anthem sing-alongs. I used to think she was just being an ass for the sake of being an ass -- that was how strong the indoctrination was. Now that I look back on it, I wish I had joined her.

On my first day of kindergarten the teacher had us stand for the pledge. I had never heard of the pledge before and had no idea what the words were. My parents must have been commies for not teaching me, because the other kids seemed to know the words. I remember being very disturbed at the idea. At the time, I did not have the vocabulary to describe how I felt. Latter, when I learned about fascism, I knew what it was.

I don't have a problem saying the pledge today. I am an adult and I can make up my own mind, but at the time it made me feel very anxious.

We said the pledge starting in kindergarten at my elementary school. I think that children that age are too young to undertand what it means. They say it because they are suppose to, just like they are suppose to stand in a straight line before the class goes anywhere as a group. They tend to believe everything that the teacher tells them. I think that this is rather dangerous. I know that some see the pledge as a patriot show of respect, but I think that encouraging everyone to do it in an involuntary situation (like school), is similiar to the issue of group prayer. It should be a matter of personal choice for those who understand it, but those that don't do it may feel uncomfortable. I don't think it should be done in public schools for that reason, regardless of how the pledge would be worded.

it is indoctrination--like religion, with which one is inculcated at a psychologically/philosophically self-indefensible age, totally without any kind of awareness or consideration for themselves, let alone theologicial doctrines.

I'm sure it makes the adults feel safe or whatever to know that the babies are thinking along the same lines, even if they don't know why they think that way. It's good enough that they do for the time being, I guess.

Pro: Teaches americas youth love for his or her country.

Con: If offended, pull your child from the daycare. If government school stand up, or put them in private school.

personally, private school is the key.

T.B.
http://conservativeissues.com
Balancing out Politics

First of all, your "Con" makes no sense! A "Con" should be a disadvantage of the pledge.

Second of all, loving something simply because you've been told to is called being indoctrinated.

... does reciting the pledge teach a young person love for his country?

Most private schools are Christian, so if you even had just an issue with "Under God" that would be the worst possible place to send your kid.

Rp

this is ridiculous......I wouldn't send my child there......sometimes you have to wonder what we are coming to as a nation....it's sick and distorted.

"when I checked out a Montessori program" --- code

"but one of them had a brother in the preschool (age 3-5) group, and he started reciting it one day during circle time, so that's how we started."--a (3-5)kid started the trend!!!! must be wholesome, right?

"In the meantime, a close friend's 5 year old comes home the other day saying 'I really want to fight for my country'." the punchline...a GOP 'float' for the draft...

Sorta like the kids asking for their favorite 'running shoes'....

DU sure sux tonight

My point was that I am PIS**D off and frustrated that they are already trying to brainwash a two year old. Perhaps you'd have to be the mother of a 2 year old to understand.

The comment about my friend's 5 year old likewise is pointing out that the kids are so indoctrinated at a young age now that they want to grow up and be soldiers already. What next? "Bush Youth Programs??"

Sorry if this thread was beneath the standard of intellectual excellence you want to see, but I thought that parents of young children here might find it very relevant.

If anything, ours is beautifully liberal, I love it. I would check and make sure that the program you were looking at is a REAL Montessori school. Many schools say they are, when they are not!!

"In the meantime, a close friend's 5 year old comes home the other day saying 'I really want to fight for my country'."

There was a time when right wing christians felt the need to home school. If I had kids, I'd be motivated to home school them at this point. But who knows, if the Rs gain total control, they may ban home schooling when christiantiy is taught in all the schools.

I am so disgusted today I could spit.

one would imagine...

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