Some people say that children should go to school as young as possible, while others believe that children should go to school at least 7 years old. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
People have different views about the most appropriate age for children to start formal schooling. While some argue that an early start brings long-term advantages, I support the view that children should not begin school until they reach at least 7 years old.
Those in favour of starting school early often point to the supposed academic benefits. Young children’s brains are highly receptive to new information, so exposure to structured lessons in literacy and numeracy from age 4 or 5 may help them build foundational skills faster, potentially giving them an edge over peers who start later. For example, education data from Finland, which has long topped global education rankings, was once misinterpreted as supporting late starts, but supporters of early education note that many high-performing East Asian systems begin formal classes as early as age 4, with strong initial test results in reading and maths.
However, I believe these short-term academic gains are outweighed by damage to children’s social and emotional development. Children under 7 typically learn best through unstructured play, which builds creativity, social skills and emotional regulation. Research from the University of Cambridge found that children who started formal school before age 6 had higher rates of anxiety and poorer long-term academic motivation than those who started at 7. This aligns with the actual Finnish education model, where formal schooling starts at 7, yet students outperform most peers globally by adolescence, as they develop a genuine love of learning before facing formal assessments.
In conclusion, while early schooling may offer temporary academic advantages, starting at age 7 better supports children’s long-term well-being and sustained educational success.