Should there be an age set of when a child can attend school?

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1

I am planning on writing to the School Board about my experience (and my siblings) as a child. Not that it will make any difference, but atleast my opinion will be heard, which wasnt heard as a child.

The issue is, what age should a child be allowed to start schooling? In the USA you generally have to be 6 (or going on 6) to start Kindergarten. To me this is stunting certain childrens growth because some children are more advanced in learning at a younger age.

Do you think children should have to be a certain age in order to start school? Why/Why not? Thanks.

2

Munni,

Would private schools take underage kids??

3

I'm not sure of across-the-board policy with private schools but I know that my friends started at younger than 6 when they attended private school.

I attended a public school.

4

yes Munni, the following program is reccomended by yours truly.

1) 6 mos-2 yrs, Playdates 3 imes a week 4 hours a day with other gifted babies.

2) a 2 yrs of age, enrollment a the United Nations International School (2 hrs a day-2 days a week) a 3 years, hourse increase to 4 hrs/3 days/week. Begin music appreciation and sports training.

3) age 4 pre-K, still enrolled at UNIS, 4 days a week, 5 hrs a day, activities, include blocks, music, art and sports

4) Age 5 (decision time): I recommend Fieldston in NYC. Make sure you prepare the child for the interview, but the pedigree you have should place him/her in a very good position.

5) Age 5-13, fieldston: focus on sciences and mathematics, music and sports (baseball, basketball and tennis), also tutoring on saturday after age 11 for the Pre-SAT's and SAT;s.

6) Age 14-18- try enrollment at either Bronx Science or St'vcnt highschools for the free ride, alternatively look at Hackley or continued stay a fieldston. Begin taking college level classes during 10th grade. COntinue wth the tutoring on Sat's, extend to classics, greek, french etc.

7) GRaduate in top 5 from any of the aforementioned schools and decide on field of study...criical determination whether large or small school, ivy or non-ivy, liberal arts of sciences. Could use the ahletic scholarship but do not take so it can be used by some other kid in lesser circumstances. Oh also, get laid....

8) College should be a breeze. Do the junior year in France or japan. Joina fraternity, have a few girlfriends and join one community organization. thrid year ry o deermine what you want to do with your life. Take steps appropriately, spend summer of post-junior year in an intership at either Skadden arps, Goldman Sachs or Cornell Uni Med Center..

8) Graduate and kick ass,

5

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Matsui: *
yes Munni, the following program is reccomended by yours truly.

1) 6 mos-2 yrs, Playdates 3 imes a week 4 hours a day with other gifted babies.

2) a 2 yrs of age, enrollment a the United Nations International School (2 hrs a day-2 days a week) a 3 years, hourse increase to 4 hrs/3 days/week. Begin music appreciation and sports training.

3) age 4 pre-K, still enrolled at UNIS, 4 days a week, 5 hrs a day, activities, include blocks, music, art and sports

4) Age 5 (decision time): I recommend Fieldston in NYC. Make sure you prepare the child for the interview, but the pedigree you have should place him/her in a very good position.

5) Age 5-13, fieldston: focus on sciences and mathematics, music and sports (baseball, basketball and tennis), also tutoring on saturday after age 11 for the Pre-SAT's and SAT;s.

6) Age 14-18- try enrollment at either Bronx Science or St'vcnt highschools for the free ride, alternatively look at Hackley or continued stay a fieldston. Begin taking college level classes during 10th grade. COntinue wth the tutoring on Sat's, extend to classics, greek, french etc.

7) GRaduate in top 5 from any of the aforementioned schools and decide on field of study...criical determination whether large or small school, ivy or non-ivy, liberal arts of sciences. Could use the ahletic scholarship but do not take so it can be used by some other kid in lesser circumstances. Oh also, get laid....

8) College should be a breeze. Do the junior year in France or japan. Joina fraternity, have a few girlfriends and join one community organization. thrid year ry o deermine what you want to do with your life. Take steps appropriately, spend summer of post-junior year in an intership at either Skadden arps, Goldman Sachs or Cornell Uni Med Center..

8) Graduate and kick ass,
[/QUOTE]

I see that your son is really having a positive impact on you. hehe. You have it all planned out dont ya. smile

6

i think its about time i should start goin to skool :konfused:

7

Munni,

Public schools here in the US are run on public money and they have to go by certain rules. I agree that some kids develop more quickly than others but it's hard to judge at such an early age. Not to mention that parents usually think their kids are pretty bright & can take the extra load when sometimes it is an overburden. And if there are private options for those who think their kids is brighter than his/her peers, then the age rule by the public schools is justified.

You can also start home schooling your kids to give them an early start if you think they are good at learning! I live in deep south where people are very religious and one of their concerns with public school is lack of religious teachings. As they don't have a school that teaches their denomination of religious teachings they opt to keep their kids at home.

In Pakistan, this early schooling is gone too far. My nephew started prep/KG when he a little over 3 in a private school. He has always been ahead of class and being the youngest in most of his classes has a different psychological effect on him. During his summer breaks he nearly covers all the course work for the next year through different tutors. But then Pakistan is a totally different story.

8

In Holland now kids start Kindergarten at four, it used to be 5. In France they take your kids at age 2.5 if they are out of diapers, or else 3 years old. they all handle it well, if they don't, they won't be haunted to do the impossible, if a class does go to fast for one child, he can always do that same year again, I know many parents see that as a disaster, but you can't ask a child to do the impossible. I think most teachers are good judges of how much a child can handle.

I must say though, that I think education in Pakistan is maybe, better than in west, in that sence, taht persons so far I have seen who came here later, knew more than any child who attended only schools here. I've seen cousins coming to Enlgand or Holland in their teen years, first attending special schools for foreigners to learn the language, then taking tests to see their levels, they were always on far higher levels than any student from their age who attend european schools.
I don't know, maybe they are more disciplined/strict in Pakistani schools or what, but most kids, who had been even few years in Pakistan, were brighter and on higher level then the kids here.

9

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
Munni,

Public schools here in the US are run on public money and they have to go by certain rules. I agree that some kids develop more quickly than others but it's hard to judge at such an early age. Not to mention that parents usually think their kids are pretty bright & can take the extra load when sometimes it is an overburden. And if there are private options for those who think their kids is brighter than his/her peers, then the age rule by the public schools is justified.

You can also start home schooling your kids to give them an early start if you think they are good at learning! I live in deep south where people are very religious and one of their concerns with public school is lack of religious teachings. As they don't have a school that teaches their denomination of religious teachings they opt to keep their kids at home.

In Pakistan, this early schooling is gone too far. My nephew started prep/KG when he a little over 3 in a private school. He has always been ahead of class and being the youngest in most of his classes has a different psychological effect on him. During his summer breaks he nearly covers all the course work for the next year through different tutors. But then Pakistan is a totally different story.
[/QUOTE]

Well thats the thing. I know of quite a few people that were forced to stay in lower grades or repeat them due to their age when coming to this country. As a result they were ahead of their peers, and got bored with school due to this. School no longer presented much of a challenge and the interest in school declined. Why should they have to suffer because some school districts discrimate based on age? Not everyone can afford or even get into private schools. Plus, I am not sure most private schools accept younger children, I am only aware that some do. But then again, these private schools are mostly church associated in america and not every parent wants to send their child to Catholic schools.

10

Munni,

I don't buy the story of no interest in school because it's not challenging. It might not be challenging for a year or two but afterwards the person should be back in track & learning something new. For example, if a person came over when in Pakistan he was in 10 grade, here they put him in 9th. I can understand he/she being bored for a year but afterwards it shouldn't be a problem. A few of my cousins were in this position but even though they complained about losing a year, they still think it was worth it. Keeping in mind the culture shock as well as the difference in teaching style they had to adjust to.

Schools don't discriminate based on age, they try to make it all even!

11

Munni beta..pehle shaadi vaadi toh karlo. bachchon ki paRhai likhai ka baad mein soch leina..

12

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ahmadjee: *
Munni,

I don't buy the story of no interest in school because it's not challenging. It might not be challenging for a year or two but afterwards the person should be back in track & learning something new. For example, if a person came over when in Pakistan he was in 10 grade, here they put him in 9th. I can understand he/she being bored for a year but afterwards it shouldn't be a problem. A few of my cousins were in this position but even though they complained about losing a year, they still think it was worth it. Keeping in mind the culture shock as well as the difference in teaching style they had to adjust to.

Schools don't discriminate based on age, they try to make it all even!
[/QUOTE]

Depends on how you look at it, regarding the discrimination. I believe both viewpoints can be argued.

School not being challenging for some students is a definate reality. That is why a lot of cities have magnet programs or accelerated learning programs. However I think you mean in the sense of repeating a grade, but to me, it still holds true in that sense.

If anything I believe schools should offer an exam to see if children belong in one grade or another. We have all heard of the 13 year old who attends university, and people dont question how it will affect him or her, yet on another level other bright students are held back.

13

I heard of that 13 year old college graduate too. How did he do that, did he take the GED after home schooling? Do you know?

14

Theres a 13 year old and a 10 year old in university.

The 13 year old had to take the GRE to get into college, from what I heard (but dont quote me on it). It was a long time back so dont remember all the details but I can look it up for you if you like. Let me know and I will PM or paste it. smile

15

All my kids started schooling at 2.5 years of age. Its more a socializing event than academic. They enjoy playing with kids their own age and pick up some useful english and maths skills. Initially we put them for 3 days a week (4 hours a day) and from 4 years on, its 5-days a week. If you get a good private school early on, the kids develop good basics, right accent and excellent work/study ethics. One thing which is important at that age is the learn to focus on task at hand.

Public schools in California take kids from Kindergarten (age 5). There are Head Start schools for pre-K too, but they are for low-income families and the standard is quite poor. So for Playgroup and Pre-K the best bet is a good private school. On to public schools its a hit-and-miss thing (Calif ranks #48 or something out of all states), but if you live in a good neighborhood (high income, Asian/Caucasian), the school standards are exemplary. Or else, you go for a good private school all the way to prep school, I guess.

16

6 years sounds a bit old to be starting school doesn't it? I'm waiting for Harris to get to six months so I can enroll him in the creche at work. Haven't made a final decision on what age the schooling will begin though as yet.

17

My two sisters and I started KG at 3, my brother started at 4 but then he skipped second grade and jumped from grade one to 3 for being too smart. People cautioned my mother with each kid that we will be behind the class as others are older than us. We all turned out fine. One of my sister is a doctor of medicine with a Mphil in Microbiology, the other did her PhD in Microbiology and MBA (I know, a very odd combo) in Marketing and then later in Finance. She is now doing her PhD in HRD. I am a mechanical engineer currently doing an MBA and my brother also a mechanical Engineer is doing his MBA from Rotman's in Canada.

One of my ammi's cousin set the record (and I think he still holds it) for youngest Matriculate in Pakistan at 10 years and a few months.

No, age should not restrict a child from starting school.