I've read many times before about the difference between UK/Ireland and the rest of Europe with respect to when kids start with proper 'academic' tasks (the 3 'Rs'), but since heard being discussed again on the Today programme this morning, thought worth posting an article by one of the people they interviewed (Susan Palmer)
http://www.suepalmer.co.uk/modern_childhood_info_the_schoolification.php
An extract :
"Why do other countries do better than us on all three counts? One
huge difference is the school starting age. Most British children now
start school well before they’re five, some just after their fourth
birthday, and are expected to crack on with the 3Rs straight away – in
England all five-year-olds are expected to read and write (using
punctuation!). Elsewhere the starting age is at least six. Indeed, in Finland,
where literacy standards are the best in the world, it’s seven. In these
countries, children follow a ‘kindergarten curriculum’ from the age of
three, based on play (especially outdoors), stories, music, art and
drama. The idea is to develop their language, attention, and social
skills, creating firm foundations for successful formal education."
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