Do our children start school too early?
One hundred and twenty seven “experts” on education have written a letter to the Telegraph this Wednesday urging the government to “fundamentally rethink” its “early years policies”. They argue that children starting school at four is too early and they shouldn’t start until they’re six or seven.
Discussed on Telegraph blogs pages by Toby Young (www.blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tobyyoung/100235617/lefty-experts-who-want-children-to-start-school-at-seven-will-create-a-generation-of-illiterates) in his article “Lefty ‘experts’ who want children to start school at seven will create a generation of illiterates”
Bright children should start school at six, says academic
Formal schooling should be delayed by at least 12 months because an over-emphasis on the three-Rs at an early age can cause significant long-term damage to bright children, according to a leading academic.
Says another Telegraph article.
The question so forcefully put across now, has been on parents’ and experts’ mind for a long time. In 2010 Mike Stevenson wrote in M&D Magazine “Parents might wonder why children in the UK start school at the magic age of 5?” and answers this question with historical explanation and analysis of current state of affairs. Mike argues that early start for children in this country not only put pressure on children and professional educators but forces many mums and dads into “pushy parents” situation, which they would rather have avoided.
What are your thoughts? Do our children start school too early? Does formal schooling routine interfere with what you would like to do with your child as a parent? Are you happy with the current system and believe that it is never too early to educate children if it is done correctly? We’d like to know your view on the matter, the best comment will be published online and in the magazine.
