In contemporary society, the issue of youth education has ignited considerable debate. While some maintain that children should go to school at five years old, others reject this notion, believing that formal education should be started when they are six or seven. Personally, while it is true that starting school at the age of five can be a significant benefit for academics, setting the foundation for future success in school, I wholeheartedly believe that attending school later than 5 year-old would be more convincing . This essay will discuss both views and provide reasons for my support of the latter opinion.
On the one hand, it is believed that allowing children to enroll in school at the age of five would be beneficial, particularly improving early cognitive development and fostering self-discipline. Indeed, most children tend to have outstanding learning capabilities; they are able to learn from both teachers and parents simultaneously, as their minds are highly impressionable and eager to learn at a faster pace. Additionally, the school is a microcosm of the world, children can interact with their peers, elders and teachers, using the knowledge they gain from communication with others for self- development purposes, especially in becoming well-mannered adults.On the other hand, formal schooling should be delayed until the age of six or seven because it is important for children to have extended periods of playful learning as this positively helps them achieve better educational results and supports their mental health. As a matter of fact, playful activities typically help children become powerful learners and problem solvers. By participating in physical and social play, children would be able to raise awareness, gradually rely less on adult support, becoming more mature, both intellectually and emotionally. In addition, children should instead undertake play-based activities with no formal literary and numeracy requirements, which could contribute significantly to enhanced learning achievements and a higher level of well-being. For instance, Finland is one of the top education systems in the world and the kids there do not have to start school until they are seven years old.
In conclusion, while allowing children to start school at the age of 5 could improve later academic performance and enhance self-discipline, I strongly lean toward the idea that attending formal education after 6 years old would be better, as children can be backed up with solid empirical data from more playful time, which in turn benefits their mental health.