BBC article: Is 5 too young to start school?

[brittone2]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7234578.stm

nak-
just tossing this out there in case anyone finds it interesting :)

[caleymama]

Funny, my mom sent me a link to this same article over the weekend.

Very interesting. Thanks for posting - I didn't even think to post it over here after I read it. :duh:

[egoldber]

I do think 5 is too young for most typically developing children to start formal academics.

I think its important to distinguish between the point of this article vs the dilemma often discussed here, which is whether or not to delay entry. If you live in a society that does not delay formal schooling until age 6 or 7, you still have to decide what to do with your school age child. And there are many studies which show that children who are on grade level or ahead of their same age peers do not benefit from delaying entry.

Its very complicated.

[fauve01]

I do think 5 is too young for most typically developing children to start formal academics.

I think its important to distinguish between the point of this article vs the dilemma often discussed here, which is whether or not to delay entry. If you live in a society that does not delay formal schooling until age 6 or 7, you still have to decide what to do with your school age child. And there are many studies which show that children who are on grade level or ahead of their same age peers do not benefit from delaying entry.

Its very complicated.

Sorry for the BARGE, but Beth, could you point me to those studies? DD is and OCT birthday and DH and i are struggling with what to do about kindy. she is academically on par or above, but we are not sure about socially. we live where people wait to start.

please post or email me at amrs119 at yahoo

THANKS!!!
anne

[egoldber]

Again, this is really a different issue from whether academics are even appropriate for the average 5 year old. But here are a few:

http://www.journal.naeyc.org/btj/200309/DelayingKEntry.pdf

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/quarterly/vol_2/2_3/elem_kindergarten.asp

This one speaks to how gifted children may even be better served by acceleration in various ways:

http://www.nationdeceived.org/

If you Google "delayed school entry" or "delayed kindergarten entry" you'll get more.

[rupptopia]

Kinda off topic but:
I guy I used to work with in London was sent off to boarding school at 6 years old! He was the youngest one at the all-boys school and doesn't have positive memories of his first few years. He did say he liked it as he got older & his brother was there with him so it wasn't too bad. But could you imagine?!

[brittone2]

There's also a book called "Better Late than Early". I haven't read it but have heard it is good. I'm a believer in delayed academics being a great option for many kids...it is one of my interests as a very relaxed homeschooling family.

http://www.amazon.com/Better-Late-Than-Early-Education/dp/0883490498

[KBecks]

Arg, don't freak me out about sending my oldest to Montessori school next year at almost 4. He's got his admissions interview next week so I'm already nervous about that.

[brittone2]

I didn't post it to freak you (or anyone else ;) ) out. I just think the constant pressures on us as parents to create super humans by starting them out early on w/ academics isn't well founded in research. I am a fan of letting kids be kids.

Montessori is also so self-paced, etc. that I think it is a little different. I'm just not comfortable w/ the increased academic push on very young children in most public schools, or the pressure to have kids be able to "perform" things like reading, etc. earlier and earlier.

Good luck w/ the interview :)

[fauve01]

Again, this is really a different issue from whether academics are even appropriate for the average 5 year old. But here are a few:

http://www.journal.naeyc.org/btj/200309/DelayingKEntry.pdf

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/quarterly/vol_2/2_3/elem_kindergarten.asp

This one speaks to how gifted children may even be better served by acceleration in various ways:

http://www.nationdeceived.org/

If you Google "delayed school entry" or "delayed kindergarten entry" you'll get more.

thanks, Beth! this is useful information. :-)

anne

[fauve01]

I didn't post it to freak you (or anyone else ;) ) out. I just think the constant pressures on us as parents to create super humans by starting them out early on w/ academics isn't well founded in research. I am a fan of letting kids be kids.

Montessori is also so self-paced, etc. that I think it is a little different. I'm just not comfortable w/ the increased academic push on very young children in most public schools, or the pressure to have kids be able to "perform" things like reading, etc. earlier and earlier.

Good luck w/ the interview :)

ITA. Thanks for the book recommendation.

anne

[KBecks]

I didn't post it to freak you (or anyone else ;) ) out.

Just put me in the easily freaked out camp. I think about lead now every time I unload the dishwasher -- hmmm, I wonder if these plates are going to kill us all...... :)

[purpleeyes]

Just put me in the easily freaked out camp. I think about lead now every time I unload the dishwasher -- hmmm, I wonder if these plates are going to kill us all...... :)


HAH! you and me both, girlie... :ROTFLMAO:


(off to buy safe bottles and sippie cups now!)