In the early years of america, why was the education of children not much of a priority?

Children had to work with parents, to help their families survive.

Explanation:

In the early years of America there was no appreciation of the child as an individual, there was a child, but there was no concept of childhood. Childhood was not seen as a phase of frailty; in addition, families were very large and living conditions were low, so it was necessary for all family members to work, including children, so that the family could survive.

If the child studied, there would be no time to work, for that reason, early childhood education was not treated as a priority.