Prompt: Some people think that children should begin their formal education at a very early age. Some think they should begin at at least 7 years old. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Different parts of the world have different standards for the age at which the children are supposed to enter the structured education system in schools. Some argue that it should be started at the toddler years to get the maximum advantage of the age while others against it as it can ruin the childhood. In my opinion, formal school education should start at at least 7 years of age allowing natural growth of a child. Ċ Firstly, childhood education is an extremely sensitive and delicate subject which should be handled carefully, as it will decide the entire life of a person. As per the child psychologists, first few years is the most important period of a child as that is the time when the new born is exploring and discovering the world around him to develop natural instincts. According to the experts, they should be allowed to quest and experience the world without much guidance and disturbance from the environment. If the formal education is started at an earlier age, toddlers would lose their opportunity to explore the world their own and will disrupt the natural pattern of learning, leading to poor creativity. Ċ Secondly, around age 7 would be an ideal age to start structured learning, as by then the child has acquired one's basic traits. It is considered that the brain is ready to receive the knowledge and develop skills towards and well-rounded adult. Ċ Although there is a controversy over the age at which the formal schooling to be started, when psychological and scientific aspects are considered, age 7 or higher seems suitable for starting formal primary education. By allowing a natural pace for learning during the childhood, benefits of the education could be reaped.