Are We Sending Children to School Too Early?

Author: Austin Stanfel

Stanford Researchers believe we’re Sending Children to School Too Early

Do you need to send children to school right now or wait for another year? According to a recent study conducted by Stanford University, Danish children who have postponed their kindergarten classes for a year have displayed a dramatic increase in their self-control. Thomas Dee, one of the researchers, said that they have found out that delaying kindergarten for a year reduced hyperactivity and inattention by 73% for a kid aged 11.

But the most shocking but admirable results shown in the process is how the said effect lasted for a longer duration, contrary to what they expected that the impact would soon diminish. In fact, the said impact even increases over time. In addition, the one-year delay even eliminates any chances of having a higher than normal score on inattention and hyperactivity.

Both are traits of ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder which weakens a child’s self-control. Prior research has shown an association between a child’s self-control level and their achievements. This seemed to be further proven by the Stanford study where children with lower hyperactivity and inattention ratings tend to have higher scores in terms of school assessment exams.

Early childhood development is indeed significant to the children’s to school future and achievements. This is the phase of remarkable cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development. Therefore, providing enough time and guidance for such development makes a significant difference in how the child will grow and be their best self to achieve success.

Though the Stanford research indicates that children who postponed kindergarten for a year have benefited from having greater self-control, the case still varies depending on the education system offered in a specific country. Some do provide a reasonable pre-kindergarten session, while others don’t, making a tremendous difference in the benefit mentioned above.

Early childhood development becomes the basis of personality, intelligence, social behavior, and the ability to learn as well as nurture oneself to becoming mature or adult individuals. Inattention and hyperactivity are just some of the habits formed in childhood which later becomes a non-communicable disease of adulthood.

Both environmental and biological factors affect a child’s behavior and brain development. For example, kids who undergo extreme stress are susceptible to developing behavioral, cognitive, or emotional difficulties. Such impediments can have long-lasting effects on both the readiness and performance of children at school. The effect can even be worse for disadvantaged children, especially those raised in poverty.

The research conducted posed an interesting hypothesis: Does sending children to school pretty late provide more time for development through unstructured play? According to research conducted in developmental psychology, imaginative play has great importance in assisting children’s intellectual and emotional self-control. According to studies conducted, children sent to school late may already have extended exposure to play environments.

Generally, this simply indicates that children should be given more time to play. Only through that will they be able to maximize their growth which is vital to their overall development. Delaying the start of school provides more significant benefits for kids.