Like other elements of childhood for the precociously gifted - private or home schooling, overstructured activity, and proto-professional training - edutainment products are part of a system that divides children into haves and have-lesses.

The quote, "Like other elements of childhood for the precociously gifted - private or home schooling, overstructured activity, and proto-professional training - edutainment products are part of a system that divides children into haves and have-lesses," comes from Alissa Quart, an American author and journalist known for her work on education and social issues. In this statement, Quart critiques the growing trend of edutainment—educational entertainment products that are marketed to children. She argues that such products, along with other elements of early childhood education for the gifted—such as private or home schooling, structured activities, and specialized training—contribute to a system of inequality.

Quart highlights how these educational tools and experiences are often targeted at privileged children, leading to a divide between those who have access to the best resources and those who do not. The term "haves and have-lesses" refers to the gap in educational opportunities, where children from wealthier families are able to access high-quality educational experiences, like edutainment products or elite schooling, while others are left with fewer opportunities for similar enrichment. This divide can perpetuate social and educational inequality from an early age.

By comparing edutainment to other forms of structured childhood experiences, Quart suggests that these products are not neutral tools, but rather part of a larger system that entrenches class distinctions. The desire for early specialization and the pressure on children to succeed in highly competitive environments can contribute to a sense of exclusivity, where only certain children are prepared for future success, while others are left behind.

Ultimately, Quart’s quote serves as a critique of how modern educational practices—particularly those aimed at the gifted—can inadvertently deepen social divisions. By emphasizing the role of privilege in shaping a child’s access to education and enrichment, she calls attention to the growing gap between those with abundant resources and those with fewer opportunities. The quote challenges the idea that educational products and experiences are inherently egalitarian or universally accessible.