ABSTRACT
The age children must start school differs throughout the world with children in the UK starting earlier than most.
Countries where children start school later do better in international comparison tests taken by their children and there is research evidence that they are better behaved because of later starts. Children who start learning to read later also enjoy it more and are better at it.
Children need to be independent, curious, confident and good in larger groups when they start school. Should you try to delay particularly if your child is very young in the school year? The evidence finds children young in their school year in lower sets, doing less well in exams and less likely to go to top universities.
Yet the answer is no for almost all but children who were very premature at birth and may have developmental delays. It’s better for children to be in school and getting extra support to compensate for their lack of maturity if they need it.
If parents offer a home that provides mental, physical and emotional support and teachers understand the effect of lack of maturation on learning, all children can be ready for school.
