Knowing what is the appropriate age for children to enter school is one of the main doubts among parents. While some claim that starting early schooling makes it possible to make the most of the brain plasticity of the little ones, others argue that socialization and emotional maturity are determining factors that must be taken into account.
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According to data from the Ministry of Education, in Colombia, the average age for children to enter preschool or kindergarten is four years old. However, A recent study published by the Institute of Early Childhood Education (ECE) at the University of Oklahoma showed that the earlier a child is enrolled in a high-quality early learning program, the greater the benefits to their cognitive development..
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Carolina Orozco, Kindergarten director at the Vermont School Medellín, assures that the institution receives children from one year of age, since during this stage, the brain is especially receptive to stimuli and experiences that influence their cognitive and neuronal development. In this sense, early schooling provides an enriching environment that stimulates learning and fosters skills such as socialization, language development, communication, gross motor skills, and adaptability.
“The learning stage prior to formal reading and writing is in fact more important than the process of reading and writing itself, since from the moment they begin to crawl these types of skills begin to be stimulated. Furthermore, the first years of school are also crucial for the development of mathematical skills; Because through activities such as classifying, counting and comparing objects, children begin to understand basic numerical and geometric concepts. “This is why being able to stimulate children from an early stage is decisive for their learning to be achieved successfully,” Orozco points out.
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In addition, he adds that interaction with other children and adults in a school context contributes significantly to the social and emotional development of children. Learning to share, communicate, work as a team and manage emotions are key skills that are acquired in the school environment and that help lay the foundations for an adult life that is more confident in their decisions.
It should be noted that the decision on the age of entry to school should be based on a careful evaluation of the individual needs and abilities of each child. More than a matter of chronological age, early schooling should be seen as an opportunity to provide children with the tools and support necessary for their comprehensive development, preparing them to successfully face the challenges of today’s world.
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