How soon should children begin schooling?

Like most controversial topics, the subject of universal preschool and even schooling during the first three years has supporters firmly on both sides. The good news is that everyone finally seems to understand the importance of early childhood. The bad news is that we have a tendency in this country to go overboard with our "solutions."

A recent article in the Chicago Tribune explored the topic of how early early education should begin. There are those who feel that because children's brains "change more between conception and kindergarten than at any other time," waiting to start schooling at age 4 or 5 is too late. The article cites neuroscientist Peter Huttenlocher's studies showing that connections in most brain areas peak by age three and then decline gradually as experiences mold the brain's wiring.

My question is: Just because the brain has more connections during the first three years, does that mean we have to stuff as much information as possible into it? After all, the pruning of synapses is part of nature's plan. It's about survival of the fittest. We aren't necessarily meant to have as many synapses as possible; we're supposed to have the most important, most useful synapses. (That's a rather simplistic explanation, but you get the idea.)

The article made many good points concerning the value of early intervention for infants and toddlers from low-income families. A University of Kansas study determined that children from upper-income backgrounds hear 30 million more words by age 3 than those from welfare families. So, if early intervention strategies can help low-income parents interact with and engage their children, I'd say that's money well spent. But considering how poorly we're doing with the early childhood education we currently offer, in terms of the developmentally inappropriate practice that the politicians and policy makers are demanding, the idea of "formal schooling" for children under age 4 makes me very nervous indeed.

My feeling is that as long as children have parents who interact with them -- love them, talk to them, read to them, and play with them -- they're getting all the education they need! You'll remember, too, that I'm a huge fan of what Finland is doing in terms of education; and Finnish children don't begin formal schooling until age 7. Before then they learn through play. And considering they're number-one in the world in literacy and numeracy, I'd say they're onto something.

What do you think?

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Comments

[Ellen]

This IS a tough one -- and yes, a hot topic for some. I generally fall right in line with you...

My daughters are 4 and 2-1/2 and I have been home w/ them since they were born (w/ the exception of a few college classes when either Daddy or Grammie cared for them....) I can only speak to my own experience. I would not trade my time at home with my children during these early years for ANYTHING. I have had the joy of watching them learn and grow. I have been the one to read them books and provide the paints or crayons to create their own masterpieces.

In no way have I felt hurried to get my children into school... if anything, I am hesitant. I have worked in a kindergarten classroom and I have seen children who really were there one year too early. And those children who manage to do well academically, but are not mature enough, get pushed through and thus, I feel are done a great disservice.

Children are forced to grow up far too quickly these days... I want my girls to be carefree children for as long as they can be. In due time, they will have more cares and and pressures than I would like to think about.

[Rae Pica]

Excellent point, Ellen. Don't you think it's interesting that the one sentence parents say probably more than any other is "They grow up so fast!" And yet today's children are being pushed to grow up even quicker than ever -- to be scholars and athletes and specialists in something by the time they're kindergarteners. Doesn't anybody see the irony?

[Laurie]

There's no blanket statement for this one, but it's really all about the quality of the environment and the opportunities children are exposed to. If a parent can provide a nurturing, loving environment with plenty of learning opportunities, which many can, then yes, that can be a "formal" schooling for the child. However, so many parents are overstressed and over worked and do not have the knowledge of how to provide learning opportunities for their children. In these cases, a "formal" early learning environment (of quality, of course) would be best. Unforutnately, it takes time and effort to figure out what is best for each child, and many people don't put the child's best interests in mind first.

I am currently teaching a parent class on how to provide learning opportunities for their children in a fun and engaging way. It only takes five minutes a day, but teaching parents to play with intent and purpose with their children can make an incredible difference!!

[Rae Pica]

Laurie, I wish more parents understood what valuable learning experiences many everyday activities provide! Am glad there are teachers like you out there helping them see how easy it is to "provide a nurturing, loving environment with plenty of learning opportunities."