| Critics of early schooling cite
research that questions whether 4-year-old children are ready to take on formal
learning. Educators find that {{U}}(21) {{/U}} toddlers are more likely
to succeed during. their school careers. {{U}}(22) {{/U}} their younger
counterparts are more likely to {{U}}(23) {{/U}}. Kindergarten children
who turn five during the {{U}}(24) {{/U}} half of the year seem to be at
a disadvantage when it {{U}}(25) {{/U}} physical, emotional,
social, and intellectual development. Additionally, children who are nearly six
when they enter kindergarten {{U}}(26) {{/U}} to receive better grades
and score higher on achievement {{U}}(27) {{/U}} throughout their
schooling experience {{U}}(28) {{/U}} do those who begin kindergarten
having just turned five. Being bright and verbally skillful and being ready for
school do not seem to be the {{U}}(29) {{/U}} thing. It is easy to
confuse the superficial poise and sophistication of many of today's children
{{U}}(30) {{/U}} inner maturity. Indeed, evidence suggests that
early schooling boomerangs: Youngsters {{U}}(31) {{/U}} parents push
them to attain academic success in preschool are less creative, have
{{U}}(32) {{/U}} anxiety about tests, and, by the end of kindergarten,
fall to maintain their initial academic advantage {{U}}(33) {{/U}} their
less-pressured peers. Many psychologists and educators remain skeptical of approaches that place 4-year-olds in a formal educational setting. They question {{U}}(34) {{/U}} environmental enrichment can significantly alter the built-in developmental timetable of a child reared in a non-disadvantaged home. They do not deny, however, the {{U}}(35) {{/U}} of day-care centers and nursery schools that provide a homelike environment and allow children {{U}}(36) {{/U}} freedom to play, develop at their own {{U}}(37) {{/U}} , and evolve their social skills. But they point out that many of the things children once did in first grade are now {{U}}(38) {{/U}} of them in kindergarten, and they worry lest more and more will now be asked of 4- year-olds. These psychologists and educators believe we are driving young children too {{U}}(39) {{/U}} and thereby depriving them of their {{U}}(40) {{/U}}. |