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By Rae

Hello

If you don't mind me asking, why do you think we have that responsibility.
(I completely respect your opinion, I'd just like to talk about this issue.)

Much of the developmental research out there supports
waiting until a child is six. I consider play the serious work. Letters can be done in one month in a first grade classroom, instead of spending six months to a year on them in kindergarten. Children need to be engaged in language-mediated play representation in order to fully understand the purpose and cognitively grasp the concept of symbolism.
From 4 -6 kids are concerned with initiative,

inventing their own words, symbols, and playing with language.

There is research starting to show how teaching kids academic concepts too early can actually cause a learning disability.

Many other countries that demonstrate higher achievement actually begin formal education later than we do in America.

While I certainly think children need exposure to print, books, and language in their environment, I do not think we need to hold them accountable for the letter, nor do I think direct instruction of letters is appropriate for the entire classroom. (Of course, there are usually a handful of children who are very interested and want to learn to read a little earlier. It would be more appropriate just for those kids.)

I'd love to hear your point of view.
Thanks for sharing