Let little kids learn by playing
Maspeth: It was refreshing to read Voicer Kitty Hughes about the loss of playtime in kindergarten and pre-K programs. Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau said that early education should serve to expand in children a sense of wonder. But instead, we have come to believe it’s a watered-down kindergarten curriculum. Nothing could be further off the mark. Three- and 4-year-olds do not have either the intellectual or the experiential skills required to absorb and apply academics.
How about assembling the foundations of thinking skills and sharing ideas. Like building with blocks, coloring, painting, playing with clay, having a teacher or aide ask: Why do you think the tower fell, how could you build it so it won’t fall — let’s try! You wanted a yellow sun, let’s paint it again. The clay gets soft as we use it.
Learning that making a mistake can be an opportunity for learning and not a failure. Listening at story time to a teacher, allowing the child to hear the story, the love of words and reading and an invitation to share ideas about the story.
We can force young children into a mold of academics, but is that the way to help them develop a love of and excitement for learning?
Diane Viggiano
Smokin’ Joe
Manhattan: Jail statistics show marijuana use is up (“Smoke-in at Rikers,” May 1)? Joseph Ponte was the commissioner when I was in jail in Maine! He is a great commissioner and deserves credit for it. Marijuana is now legal in at least six states and should be in more. More weed means less problems for all.
Tucker Mowatt
Happy birthday, Mr. President
Great Neck, L.I.: There are countless Americans, like myself, who never really got over the dreadful shock of that long-ago Friday, Nov. 22, 1963. Therefore it is especially jarring, bittersweet and touching that the 100th anniversary of the birth of my beloved President John F. Kennedy, May 29, falls on Memorial Day this year.
Nadine Feingold
Get on with it
East Elmhurst: I’m so tired of Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer taking any given opportunity to trash President Trump. Maybe if they spent more time doing their jobs, Democrats would have won the presidential election. Pelosi and Schumer are making fools of themselves. Let’s stop the nonsense and work together. Jon Girodes
Calming Krauthammer
Bronx: To Charles Krauthammer: I’ve been following you for some time in the Daily News and on Fox News and CNN, and am very impressed with your calm good sense and affability. I want to thank you for an observation about President Trump in your column “A pause in the populist wave” (April 28): “He certainly ran as a populist and won as a populist but he is governing as a traditionalist.” I like Trump and voted for him, and hope for the best, but I feel uncertain most of the time on whether to be a supporter. No doubt, there’s much hostility to him in the New York area and throughout the country. But at bottom I believe he has benefited from supernatural intervention in being President at this particular trying time. Keep up the good work and God bless you. We all look forward to happier days. Walter Powers
Bad leader, bad voters
Manhattan: President Trump is not just missing history class, but setting a poor example of how to run a country. I am aware that he is new at this position and the first 100 days are rough, but after doing what he has done, it is a wonder that his approval rating is not dropping down any further. I do not regret that I did not vote for him. To those people who didn’t vote on Nov. 8. 2016: Shame on you. Get a life and stop acting like spoiled brats. Richard Rosenfeld
Accepting the result
Staten Island: I did not vote for you, President Trump, but I have to say that what you have done in your first 100 “daze” is just being you, I guess. Andy La Barca
Preaching from the stage
Barrington, N.J.: To Apostle Michael Moore: Before you put on your one-man show to vilify President Trump, remember this: “If we would judge ourselves we should not be judged,” in the words of Apostle Paul.
Robert Pozzi
Outta here
Brooklyn: President Trump’s two main facial expressions are a scowl and a grimace, when he attempts a smile. I never really heard him laugh, a reflection of his empty inner core. He is a scary, amoral narcissist who lies with impunity. Hopefully, when the Russian connections come to light, he will be impeached and tried. The sooner the better.
Nancy D. Bennett Woodside: Andrew Jackson was a wonderful example of humanity. Just ask anyone whose family walked the Trail of Tears.
Mary McLaughlin
Everybody hold hands
Sanford, Fla.: To Voicers Sherri Rosen, Natalie Meyers, Eve Martinez and Lynne Henderson: It is unfortunate that you refuse to accept or foolishly deny reality. You even claim that Donald Trump is not your President. The reality is that he is the President of all citizens and residents of the U.S.A. I do understand your frustration if he was not your choice on the ballot. Now you know how the rest of us felt when Barack Obama was elected. However, acting out like spoiled kids and childish name-calling is counterproductive to bringing this country together. We have many problems to solve together. You must face the fact that Trump will be President until 2024.
Irving Schimebaum
The fool card
Far Rockaway: There is an old legend about a king who wore no clothes in a parade. People watching the parade were afraid to say that the king was naked. A boy there yelled, “The king is not wearing any clothes!” Then everyone said: “The king is not wearing any clothes.” I want to be like that boy when I yell: “President Trump is a fool.” Now everybody should be yelling: “President Trump is a fool.”
Bernard Venditto
Watch your reps
Troy, N.Y.: Now is the time for all politically conscious voters to pay close attention to those whom you elect. Pay attention to the Congress and to local politics. Yes, it is a worldwide embarrassment to have President Trump represent the United States. But more broadly, power lies within elected politicians from town positions up to the presidency. Pay close attention to what all of them are up to. Newspapers could do their part by listing all bills, who voted on them and how. The only good result of this election would be the end of apathy and increased public awareness. Power is supposed to be in the hands of citizens, not one individual and his businesses.
Leslie Burnham
Taxing experience
Staten Island: Re the editorial “The rich get richer” (April 24): We constantly hear that the rich don’t pay their fair share. The media mimic the outcry but don’t tell the public who is paying what. Here’s who: According to the Internal Revenue Service, in 2014 JOHN CARL D’ANNIBALE/TIMES UNION the top 1% of earners, making over $465,000 on average per year, pay 40% of all federal taxes. The top 5%, making over $189,000 a year, pay 60%. The top 10% (over $133,000 a year) pay 71%, the top 25% (over $77,000 a year) pay 87%, and the top 50% (over $38,000 a year) pay 97%. Everyone else pays less than 3%, and 45% of the U.S. population pay no income taxes. So how do we define a fair share? No matter what your income you will say you pay too much and someone wealthier should pay more. So what is the answer? Taxpayers must realize that asking for ever-expanding services and programs means we have to pay for them. It’s fair that government provides for the needy, but we must also realize that government cannot provide for our every need. The reality is that sooner rather than later, there will be no money. John G. Ruggiero
Tix thanx
Brooklyn: I would like to thank the Daily News for the free Yankee tickets versus Baltimore on April 28. And thanks for being New York’s Hometown Paper.
Leslie Timothe
Hooked on ‘Dancing’
Brooklyn: The best dancer (Heather Morris) gets eliminated on “Dancing With the Stars.” Reminds me of when Pia Toscano was eliminated from “American Idol.” They need to find a better way to do eliminations.
Billy Somma