Are you thinking about holding your little one back from starting school, especially if they were born in August? While it’s common for parents to consider postponing school entry for summer babies or preemies, a recent study suggests you might want to rethink that choice.
Many parents believe that delaying school will allow their children to mature more before entering the classroom. However, a study from the University of Warwick, featured in the Journal of Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, reveals that this delay could actually lead to worse academic outcomes as kids grow older.
According to Professor Mark Reynolds from the University of Warwick, “Our research indicates that delaying school entry doesn’t improve Year One teacher assessments, but it is linked to lower scores in standardized tests for reading, writing, math, and attention as children age.” This means that keeping kids at home for an extra year might not be the best use of that time, especially when they could be getting a head start on their education.
The researchers tracked the academic journeys of 999 children from Bavaria, comparing teacher evaluations from ages six to eight. Co-author Lila Martin noted, “We discovered that missing just one year of learning opportunities was tied to poorer performance on standardized tests at age eight, whether the kids were preterm or full-term. More studies are necessary to explore the long-term impact of delaying school entry on academic success, but our findings certainly offer parents and educators something to think about.”
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In summary, while the instinct to delay a child’s school start may stem from good intentions, research suggests that it might not be beneficial. It’s essential to weigh the potential drawbacks of delaying school entry against the advantages of early education.
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