Regarding your recent editorial on early childhood education, I object to the idea that my tax dollars should support the pre-K instruction for 3- and 4-year-olds in Maryland, as advocated by several announced candidates for governor ("The most important investment," Oct. 8).

With a bit of creative parenting, children who are nurtured and loved by their own families during these formative years will be just as ready for kindergarten as those who were forced to attend school at age 3 or 4.

Parents are able to access available resources at the public library or on the computer, and play groups or going to the playground provide socialization. Children should be taught moral values, family traditions and religious beliefs every day by their own parents during these too few, precious and fleeting years.

Elizabeth Young, Catonsville