Early childhood educators place high value on collaboration with parents. Thus it is especially distressing that much of the hothousing pressure comes from parents. Conflicts with parents over aspirations for children and expectations for programs threaten a traditional source of teachers' support. If children sense lack of agreement, their confidence in significant adults may be undermined. Early childhood educators are now particularly vulnerable to criticism.
Society places a low value on their work.
Other professionals lack understanding of what they do. Educators' programs are subject to administrative and parental interference. Educators tend to be isolated from one another and hampered in developing professional counsensus on policy and practice. These circumstances weaken the professional influence of teachers and reduce their ability to resist pressures that may be harmful to children and to defend appropriate programs. Young children need protection and nurturance during a prolonged period of development.