In some countries, children begin school at the age of four, while in others they start at the age of seven. What is the situation in your country? What do you think is the best age for children to start school? Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
What is the situation in your country?
What is your opinion about the age of starting school?
5-6 years
They can learn to carry themselves without external intervention
They have already mastered basic language by this time
Emotional maturity
They can interact with their surroundings more meaningfully
Scientific evidence about improved concentration, something critical for formal learning
Can easily adjust to academic and extracurricular routines
Although there is a great variation about the age of starting schooling, ranging from four to seven, India has opted for between five and six, and I feel that this is a right age for enrolling into school: little ones are emotionally mature, and can carry themselves comfortably.
Indian parents, after engaging their wards in pre-schooling for a couple of years, send the latter to the formal tuition at around six because by this time, the tender minds have not only fostered fundamental cognitive skills but also the ability to interact with surroundings efficiently without needing any external intervention. They can effortlessly communicate and convey their views and comprehend instructions by virtue of developing language skills required to survive.
Similarly, they become mentally prepared to stay away from the family environment for sometime without feeling abandoned, and requiring any special attention from the attendants or teachers. For corroborate, as per Indian Schools Association, pupils initiating their formal education between five and six have better behaviour and are less akin to throwing tantrums when compared with their younger counterparts, that is why the Indian government has stipulated five years as basic criteria for school admissions.
Moreover, learners at this age can capitalize on their pre-school learning and smoothly adapt to academic learning and environment, and study with heightened concentration, getting the grasp of concepts and skills faster, producing brilliant outcomes. To exemplify, Danish schools take children in at six, and report facilitating faster academic development, and producing exceptional performers in various professions, reinforcing the belief that delayed schooling supports better educational achievements.
To recap, commencing formal education between five and six renders multiple advantages, owing to young ones being more prepared to respond to the demands of studying, and also engage in meaningful schooling.
