What is the best age to start kindergarten? Well, when this author was young he was sure he was ready to go to school at the age of 3. But he had to wait until he was nearly 6. And after a couple days of that school stuff he was just sure the whole 'going to school idea' was a big mistake. Years later I see the importance of going to school. But at what age should that happen?

Best age to go to school?

Whoever came up with the idea that all children are capable of attending school at age 5? It's preposterous to think that everybody is just as mature at the same exact age. Children born at 25 weeks during the mother's gestational cycle are nowhere near as mature as their 39-week counterparts when they are born. So, why should one think that every child is exactly the same physically and mentally when they turn age 5?

Even in the case of gender- girls' brains develop at a different rate than boys' brains. For instance, Girls reach the inflection point of brain development at age 11. Their male counterparts do not reach the inflection rate until the age of 15. ('education.com', http://www.education.com/facts /quickfacts-gender-differences /boys-girls-brains-different/

In a recent poll on a website titled 'The Baby Center', http://www.babycenter.com/4_wh at-is-the-best-age-to-start-ki ndergarten_77264.bc, parents voted as to which age they had sent or would send their child to kindergarten. In comparison they also voted as to which age they felt was a more ideal age to send a child to kindergarten. Below are their scores at the time of this writing:

Age Actual age children were sent After thoughts as to best age

4 25% 19%

5 53% 62%

6 16% 16%

Five percent of those surveyed did not or would not require their child to attend kindergarten. And in retrospect only three percent stated that this was ideal.

These differences seem to suggest something. First off one notices that while 5% did not or would not require their child to go to kindergarten only 3% of those assessed felt this was ideal. That 2% difference suggests some had a heart change. They realized the importance of kindergarten after their own child was deprived of that privelege.

It's interesting to notice also there were 25% that already did or would send their children to school at age four compared to 19% who had originally thought this a good idea. This suggests that many of those who had felt that was a good idea initially, changed their minds, 6% to be exact.

So what is the best age to begin kindergarten?

Swiss psychologist Jean Piaget, well known for his pedagogical studies, formulated three stages of educational development- preoperational (ages 2-7), concrete operational (ages 7-12), and formal operational (age 12 and up). Piaget based this breakdown of thinking stages upon much research and personal observation.

During the stage Piaget dubbed, 'preoperational' children are preoccupied with magical thinking. During this time they are acquiring motor skills. They cannot conserve or utilize logical thinking. Therefore during this time much of what would be taught them during a regular school setting would be pointless.

During the 'concrete operational stage' is when school really should begin. This is when children begin to think logically.

Children who have not begun kindergarten until age 7 have suffered no damage other than being a little older than their classmates. But when a child first comes to school at the age of 7 his faculties are ready to learn. He has the hand eye coordination that he didn't have at age 5 so he learns much quicker. He doesn't develop a lifetime resentment toward learning by being pushed before he is ready. Children who start school at age 7 can not only catch up with their peers who started at 5, but can surpass them as well.

References:

education.com'

http://www.education.com/facts /quickfacts-gender-differences /boys-girls-brains-different/

The Baby Center'

http://www.babycenter.com/4_wh at-is-the-best-age-to-start-ki ndergarten_77264.bc

Learn more about this author, Ronnie Reese.
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