Task 2 — Discussion (Both Views)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Write at least 250 words.

Debate about the right age to begin formal schooling often divides parents and educators. Some argue that children should enter structured classrooms early, whereas others favour delaying school until around seven. In my view, early exposure can be useful, but formal academic instruction should be delayed until children are developmentally ready.

Those who support an early start believe it helps children build routines and basic skills sooner. Regular lessons can familiarise young learners with listening to teachers, sharing materials, and following group instructions, which may make later schooling less stressful. Early literacy and numeracy activities can also identify learning difficulties before they become serious. For families where both parents work, preschool or reception classes provide a supervised environment that combines care with learning, so the argument is not only academic but practical.

The case for starting later is stronger, however, because very young children learn best through play, movement, and social interaction rather than long periods of sitting. If formal targets are introduced too soon, children may associate learning with pressure and failure, especially when their fine motor skills or attention spans are still developing. A play-based early childhood programme can still teach language, cooperation, and curiosity, but it does so through exploration instead of tests and worksheets.

Therefore, I believe governments should distinguish between early education and early schooling. Children can attend high-quality childcare before seven, but the formal curriculum should begin later, when most are ready to read, write, and concentrate for longer periods. This approach protects childhood development while ensuring that children do not arrive at primary school without social or linguistic preparation.