SCHOOL AGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 126, 30 May 1934, Page 6

SCHOOL AGE.

THE ENGLISH PRACTICE.

(To the Editor.)

In a recent issue of the "Star" I notice that the Hon. Masters,is quoted as 6aying, wit'h regard to the admittance of the five-year-old children to the public schools: "In other parts of the world children are not admitted till they are six, seven or even eight years of age." He should at least have specified which parts of the world. Perhaps he is referring only to the Sahara Desert or the wilds of Africa. I have here letters dated 1933-34 from England, America and West Australia, which mention children commencing school at five years of age, and one from Worcestershire, England, describing a large class of under-fives and ■under-fours all asleep on their mattresses one hot day in July, 1933. This is a public school under the Worcestershire County Council. As a mother of a large family I certainly think that the average child of five is quite ready for school and is happier there than at home; or rather, I should say,' enjoys his home more because he spends some of his tirm at school. If the child cannot attend school at the age of five it is almost certain that he or she will learn letters and numbers in a haphazard fashion from relatives or in a "mushroom kindergarten," and consequently will have to unlearn later on. Why penalise the child when we have more than enough trained teachers ? MOTHER.