When Should Children Start School?
Throughout the world there are a variety of ages for children to start school. The range of ages - anywhere from four to seven years old - has been the cause of considerable debate. Should children start school earlier or later? Proponents of an earlier age are primarily concerned about children who grow up in poverty or those who lack a stimulating home environment. Their logic is that earlier entrance ages and increased daycare will compensate for deficient homes.
Other than the reasons above, there really aren’t any good arguments for children starting school early. But there are significant arguments for starting children later.
One of the main reasons for starting a child later is that the skills taught in the primary grades are, for many children, quite complex. We expect children to be able to grasp a small pencil and form characters on paper. We expect them to discriminate between a ‘p’ and a ‘q’ or a ‘b’ and a ‘d’. These are very difficult for children. Consider this: A hammer is still a hammer regardless of how it is held, but a letter changes completely by turning it around or flipping it. This requires careful reasoning and precise visual discrimination.
Another compelling reason is that children are expected to sit quietly and work at a task which might not interest them. They also have to listen to and follow instructions. They have to wait their turn before being helped, wait in line to enter or leave a building, and wait for snack time to eat. They must cooperate and share with peers who are strangers to them, etc. All of this require a considerable measure of energy, concentration, and self-discipline.
In my view, and in the view of every teacher I have ever spoken to on the matter, a later starting age is generally better. I have never had a family come back with regrets about holding a child back a year, but I have had numerous ones regret the decision to move them ahead. The older the child, the more ready they are for learning. They are more mature physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
Regardless, of the cut-off date, there will always be discrepancies between the youngest and oldest in the class. However, the more mature the class, the easier it is for each student to handle the work at their grade level. Currently in the United States, the most common cut-off date for entry into kindergarten is September 1 followed by September 30 or September 15. Others range from July to December. In Canada, the cutoff date is often December 30 and sometimes as late as February 28. Using these very late dates results in large numbers of students who are not physically, emotionally, intellectually, or socially ready for school.
For these reasons, our school requires students to be age five by September 30 for kindergarten, and age six by September 30 for grade one. Exceptions can be made, of course, but overall I am convinced that this earlier cut-off date is wise. Launching children into their school years when they are older leads to a more capable, mature student population, and translates into higher achievement with less stress. And that, ultimately leads to happier and healthier kids.
Other than the reasons above, there really aren’t any good arguments for children starting school early. But there are significant arguments for starting children later.
One of the main reasons for starting a child later is that the skills taught in the primary grades are, for many children, quite complex. We expect children to be able to grasp a small pencil and form characters on paper. We expect them to discriminate between a ‘p’ and a ‘q’ or a ‘b’ and a ‘d’. These are very difficult for children. Consider this: A hammer is still a hammer regardless of how it is held, but a letter changes completely by turning it around or flipping it. This requires careful reasoning and precise visual discrimination.
Another compelling reason is that children are expected to sit quietly and work at a task which might not interest them. They also have to listen to and follow instructions. They have to wait their turn before being helped, wait in line to enter or leave a building, and wait for snack time to eat. They must cooperate and share with peers who are strangers to them, etc. All of this require a considerable measure of energy, concentration, and self-discipline.
In my view, and in the view of every teacher I have ever spoken to on the matter, a later starting age is generally better. I have never had a family come back with regrets about holding a child back a year, but I have had numerous ones regret the decision to move them ahead. The older the child, the more ready they are for learning. They are more mature physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.
Regardless, of the cut-off date, there will always be discrepancies between the youngest and oldest in the class. However, the more mature the class, the easier it is for each student to handle the work at their grade level. Currently in the United States, the most common cut-off date for entry into kindergarten is September 1 followed by September 30 or September 15. Others range from July to December. In Canada, the cutoff date is often December 30 and sometimes as late as February 28. Using these very late dates results in large numbers of students who are not physically, emotionally, intellectually, or socially ready for school.
For these reasons, our school requires students to be age five by September 30 for kindergarten, and age six by September 30 for grade one. Exceptions can be made, of course, but overall I am convinced that this earlier cut-off date is wise. Launching children into their school years when they are older leads to a more capable, mature student population, and translates into higher achievement with less stress. And that, ultimately leads to happier and healthier kids.