Are we sending children to school too early?

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 for a year have display dramatic increase on their self-control. Thomas Dee, one of the researchers have said that they have found out that delaying kindergarten for a year reduced hyperactivity and inattention by 73{d4a803f2308ffa024a3d5f779fd241813a53fe11df351592ff06654a60312fb5} for a kid aging 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 will soon diminish. In fact, the said impact even increases over time. In addition, the one year delay even eliminates chances of having higher than normal score on inattention and hyperactivity.

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

Early childhood development is indeed significant to the children’s future and achievements. This is the phase of the remarkable cognitive, physical, emotional and social development. Therefore providing enough time and guidance for such development makes a great difference on 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 may offer a reasonable fine pre-kindergarten, while others don’t- a main thing that make a great difference into the aforementioned benefit.

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

Both environmental and biological factors affect 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 readiness and performance of children at school. The effect can even be worse for disadvantaged children, those who are raised in the poverty.

The research conducted posed an interesting hypothesis: Does sending children to school pretty late provide more time for development through an 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 who are sent to school late may have an extended exposure to playful environments.

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