"The nature of children's development and learning dictates two important school responsibilities. Schools must be able to respond to a diverse range of abilities within any group of children, and the...

"The nature of children's development and learning dictates two important school responsibilities. Schools must be able to respond to a diverse range of abilities within any group of children, and the curriculum in the early grades must provide meaningful contexts for children's learning rather than focusing primarily on isolated skills acquisition" (NAEYC 1995). In other words, schools should meet the needs of all the children who are eligible to attend without consideration of their ability to perform academic tasks. What does this statement mean? ? Why it is important and how accepting it might influence programs for children from birth through age 3, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs? Think about the circumstances that might make it difficult for some children to be "ready" for kindergarten and the long-term implications when children are not admitted due to lack of particular social or academic skills.