School starting age

An issue that is bound to be discussed in any blog about starting school is how old should your child be.

I am not an expert on early childhood education, so I have had to do my own research, attend lectures on the issue, scroll the net, look internationally, and make the decision that is best for Poppet. For us that decision is for her to start school just after her sixth birthday.

In Victoria, you can begin school if you turn five before April 30th of that year. But many parents have realised the benefits of waiting until the child has turned 6, especially children born between January and April, and even more so if they are boys.

There is no hard evidence/research, conclusive study that proves that starting younger will make a student finish with higher grades. In fact, we as a country can not even decide on what is the best age, with every State and Territory having different cut off dates and entry ages.

One article that was worth reading, if you are unsure about what to do from the Times (English newspaper) gave a good summary of the Finnish system, where most children start at 7. The Finns, also have such a fantastic education system that private schools barely exist, and even if you do find one, it will be for religious/faith based reasons, and fees will still be very limited, if at all. A shame we can't copy exactly what they have.

Back to Victoria, to your child, and what to do? Ask the kindergarten teacher (if you have one, they are also getting hard to get into around here), rely on your own instinct, don't push a child who you don't think is ready.

Comments I have received from local Principals include, "If in doubt at all, don't send them, you will always wonder what could have been if they had an extra year at home." and "The most important start to school for a child, is that they are happy to attend, a child happy at school, will cope, learn and thrive much better than one who is unhappy."

I am sure Poppet would cope ok if she was sent off to school next year, but she will also love attending the new fabulous Kindergarten I have found, going to swimming, dancing, the park, play dates and library just as much.