At What Age Should A Child Start Going To School?

[Chicken George]

3 years is fine but its the school that matters. Kids to to socialise and learn together but best to go slong and have a look even stsy gor s morning. Many of these kindergardens are just vaby sitters and do very little other than keep them in a room quiet snd sdleep ss much ss possible. I know I have 2 children here.

[Lite Beer]

2 Off Topic posts have been removed.

[NoshowJones]

A kid who is not yet at school at 5 is likely to be retarded...

2 might be too early but 3 or 4 latest is good.

It also depends what he is going to learn at school and for sure he could learn a lot more at home if you are smart enough to teach yourself BUT going to school gives to kids a social life that can help them in the future, so if they learn at home they should go to sport or any other activity twice a week at least.

No need to spend 400000 thb i(never heard about 600k ?) in international school where an alcoholic hooker banger will pretend to teach anything to your kids, some schools a lot cheaper are good enough for very young children.

I think it is ridiculous seeing 3 year old kids dressed in uniforms similar to what children years older wear. This country is far too militaristic.

[SteeleJoe]

Don't know if there are any Steiner schools here, but many claim to be based on Montessori, which would at least be better than the standard Thai-system garbage.

.

There are. Both my children attended one - started at 3.5 years. We were/are VERY pleased with the school.

Thai neighbors and family pushed and pressured us to start the kids at 2 and thought it odd that we wouldn't. Also thought it odd that we'd put them in a kindergarten that didn't teach them any academic stuff. They said our kids would fall behind their peers. The boy is in grade 4 now and has been a straight A student every year and among the top students of his large school.

Sure it's only one case (my daughter is still too young to be an example) but I personally recommend NOT going along with the Thai way - starting way early and doing book learning at 3 - wait and then start them in Steiner/Waldorf or something similar.

* In a bit of a hurry and didn't read the whole thread. Apologies for any redundancy.

[PalMan]

The "Finns are disturbed" comment was over the top, regarding education they are right up at the top for decades now, as much as Singapore but much less heavy on the nationalistic discipline.

In any case my standard is dead-average government school in an NES country, and I'm sure most here would agree that's not very high.

I continue to maintain from direct experience as a teacher that only the top international schools hit that mark. I've yet to experience a Thai-managed place that does, although Satit Kaset's IP comes pretty close, but kids are pre-registered there from birth, doubt an expat could get in no matter how big a bribe they offered.

Sure some students come through able to get into good Western uni's but I'd say that's despite the system, and also due to the fact they're at the top of a very mixed bag of applicants, standards are lowered to have a wide range of countries represented.

If you have the opportunity to home school, then that to me is the only acceptable alternative to spending over half-million per child per year tuition if you want to remain in Thailand.

Don't know if there are any Steiner schools here, but many claim to be based on Montessori, which would at least be better than the standard Thai-system garbage.

.

There are. Both my children attended one - started at 3.5 years. We were/are VERY pleased with the school.

Thai neighbors and family pushed and pressured us to start the kids at 2 and thought it odd that we wouldn't. Also thought it odd that we'd put them in a kindergarten that didn't teach them any academic stuff. They said our kids would fall behind their peers. The boy is in grade 4 now and has been a straight A student every year and among the top students of his large school.

Sure it's only one case (my daughter is still too young to be an example) but I personally recommend NOT going along with the Thai way - starting way early and doing book learning at 3 - wait and then start them in Steiner/Waldorf or something similar.

* In a bit of a hurry and didn't read the whole thread. Apologies for any redundancy.

-

Would appreciate contact info for any/all Steiner schools in Thailand for reference - since a positive review shouldn't be a problem to post publicly, otherwise please do PM me.

[newermonkey]

For Thai people it should be around 30 years because before that they are not mature enough to understand anything. and in any case if you send them earlier the teachers cant teach anything.

[PalMan]

OT I know good critique of recent proposed changes to UK curriculum: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/17/to-encourage-creativity-mr-gove-understand

Here there's almost no allowance for any creativity within the classroom at all, all the focus is on memorizing content, no questioning the teacher (especially if the kid knows what he's teaching is wrong), no discussion, just regurgitate everything at test time.

The quality of English is usually so bad they'd be better off without it, as it stands now they have to unlearn a lot, which is harder than learning from scratch later on.

[fotog]

The "Finns are disturbed" comment was over the top, regarding education they are right up at the top for decades now, as much as Singapore but much less heavy on the nationalistic discipline.

In any case my standard is dead-average government school in an NES country, and I'm sure most here would agree that's not very high.

I continue to maintain from direct experience as a teacher that only the top international schools hit that mark. I've yet to experience a Thai-managed place that does, although Satit Kaset's IP comes pretty close, but kids are pre-registered there from birth, doubt an expat could get in no matter how big a bribe they offered.

Sure some students come through able to get into good Western uni's but I'd say that's despite the system, and also due to the fact they're at the top of a very mixed bag of applicants, standards are lowered to have a wide range of countries represented.

If you have the opportunity to home school, then that to me is the only acceptable alternative to spending over half-million per child per year tuition if you want to remain in Thailand.

Don't know if there are any Steiner schools here, but many claim to be based on Montessori, which would at least be better than the standard Thai-system garbage.

.

There are. Both my children attended one - started at 3.5 years. We were/are VERY pleased with the school.

Thai neighbors and family pushed and pressured us to start the kids at 2 and thought it odd that we wouldn't. Also thought it odd that we'd put them in a kindergarten that didn't teach them any academic stuff. They said our kids would fall behind their peers. The boy is in grade 4 now and has been a straight A student every year and among the top students of his large school.

Sure it's only one case (my daughter is still too young to be an example) but I personally recommend NOT going along with the Thai way - starting way early and doing book learning at 3 - wait and then start them in Steiner/Waldorf or something similar.

* In a bit of a hurry and didn't read the whole thread. Apologies for any redundancy.

-

Would appreciate contact info for any/all Steiner schools in Thailand for reference - since a positive review shouldn't be a problem to post publicly, otherwise please do PM me.

Yes I would also appreciate any contact information for any/all Steiner/Waldorf schools in Thailand. Thank you.

[TravelerEastWest]

Both our children started school at two years old and loved it.

Social skills is the number one reason.

Everything else academically is a bonus.

Both of us work so the alternative is for the kids to stay home with a nanny or maybe grandma and that is not anywhere near as good (at leats for us your situation amy be quite different) as going to a nice school.

[NanaFoods]

I'm not one to give advice on raising kids... each have different requirements.

But just to share my experience: my son is nearly 6... he's been attending local Thai school since age 4, which he enjoys (kindergarten was basically daycare and TV), I have pretty much resolved that I will be his primary teacher until he gets older.

I downloaded some free online homeschool curriculum and worksheets. He loves it. We call this his "fun-work" as opposed to the homework he gets from school. Local school is good as it teaches him Thai language, and provides experience interacting with other children. At homeschool, he learns English, math, kid's science, art, etc... which he also loves.

quite frankly, i think I'd be doing the same thing if living in my country of origin, as I feel the edu system there is kinda messed up as well.

Edited May 22, 2013 by NanaFoods

[cup-O-coffee]

You asked, "At what age should a child start going to school?" and I tell you that he is being schooled even now. Forgive my choice to be philosophical about this, but I believe this approach serves many purposes that benefit a small human's development, as well as the benefits which society gains when that small human is groomed such.

But first, I ask you, "Why?" What inspired your question? I have so many other questions for you, which would better help me understand what kind of a person your child will more than likely turn out to be, regardless of absolutely zero formal education, or benefiting from the best the world has to offer.

Whilst not in school, or even never having had schooling I pursue the following with my own son as much as I can, and offer these thoughts to you for your (hoped for) interest:

Do you, his first god, first leader, first and only father, first hero, first teacher, first coach, first boss, first companion, first friend, first mate, interact at a personal level, both his and yours? As his mind spans out and reaches further into his environment and world, and as it delves deeper into his own consciousness and sense of self and purpose in being, he needs you there to carry him until he can run on his own. As he becomes more aware, your god likeness will diminish to the point, over time, until he will view you as a life long friend, or simply another stranger and of no use or interest. Do you fear that, and wish to keep him in the dark and worshipful of you, or do you have faith that he can some day be an equal and not believe in invisible friends?

Do you groom him in his treatment of his mother (his first goddess, first leader, first and only mother, first heroine, first teacher, first coach, first boss, first female companion, first girl friend, first
lady mate; to imbue within his mind a desire to interact at a personal level, both his and hers, and to regard her with the respect that she deserves and earns?

Do you actively listen, and in turn imbue within him the ability to actively listen?

Do you encourage and reward him with words of praise when he says or does something you deem suitable?

Do you engage in suitable punishment with him when he steps out of line or demonstrates to first animal behavior that young humans are apt to express?

Do you apologize to him when you are wrong?

Do you get down on your knees so you are physically at his level, instead of talking down to him or over his head?

Do you put down the paper, or turn off the TV when he comes to you and grabs your finger and let him lead you to that thing that is fascinating him so you both can together marvel at life and the simple yet amazing things little humans experience?

Do you make eye-contact with him at all times, or most of the time?

Do you get your head right up against his and truthfully tell him, "Son, daddy loves you very much." at least two times a day?

Do you teach him to respect others and to understand that he has two ears, two eyes and one mouth, and that there is a reason for this; to listen and see twice as much as he speaks?

Do you teach him to share and give and let go of things he likes and cares about?

Do you teach him that there is a line and that he has the right to protect himself and those things that are his to be responsible for?

Shall I go on? These are simply a few things that a father can engage in with his child long before he or she attends an institution, regardless of that institutions indoctrinating values or reputation.

Engaging in these things will separate your child from most flaws and intuitively attract your child to what is best about it. Moreover, your child will, on his or her own cognizance, weed out the idiots and stupidity and selfishness from his or her mind.

---------------

I am not concerned that my child does not yet speak five languages, or know the alphabet or how to write his name. I am more concerned about his ability to cope with life and the rewards and punishment it delivers to his senses each day on a continual basis. I am concerned with his well-being in the face of life. It is his life, not yours. How he views things at this very moment are exactly how he views them. If you don't get inside his head and guide him, then your question is an entire loss towards any benefit to him when you aren't there in the future to witness the destruction.

School? It doesn't really matter does it? Education is symbolic and learning is merely his ability to perceive the symbols in life and to be able to interpret them according to their prescribed intention.

Is he to write his thesis and hand it in on the morrow? No? Then does it matter whether he runs the race at the middle or the rear of the human race? Why get all anxious about something that has been going on forever? Why not get anxious over those things that pass and never get realized again?

I guess what I am expressing, Fotog, is that it doesn't matter at his age what you subject him to outside of his experience with you, and you alone. What matters is what you imbue him with now, and most of your concerns will be mist in the wind.

There was a time when children, who attended school, came equipped with those positive mental, physical and health characteristics which enabled and empowered teachers with the luxury of actually teaching, instead of being glorified nannies, nursemaids and prison wardens. Regrettably, that is no longer true in general.

There was a time when schools provided, and children absorbed; and there was a time when this very statement could be understood and trusted, instead of being twisted into a warped definition of crowd/mob control and acceptance of perverted changes within our decaying society.

That time is gone, and Thailand emulates this in that they have nurtured a society of drones who accept our worst human nature to such a degree that it is their undoing in terms of human development and self-actualization.

If you wish to subject your child to school at such a young age, then be prepared to become very familiar with doctors and the layout of hospitals and clinics. Be aware that you will become familiar with pharmaceutical terms and medicinal elements as you child suffers from weekly barrages of illnesses.

Thai schools do not screen their young attendees. They allow the ignorant Thai parents to drop their children off, and to have those children experiencing the worst forms of illnesses whilst being grouped together with those who are not sick.

Thai schools do not clean their rooms diligently, nor do they clean the children after they have vomited all over the place and had that vomit splash into the toy boxes and onto the toys and varied surfaces within the room. The toys they play with (particularly the modelling clay) are petri dishes of bacteria and dying viruses waiting for a tiny "host" hand to jump onto. Be prepared to get familiar with terms like Rota Virus, sinusitis, etc.

Be prepared for the Director to tell you that your son or daughter cannot move up to the next classroom even if they are smart enough, simply because the Thai education system is age-based, and not IQ-based. It matters not the intelligence of the child; only their age.

Be prepared to pay a lot and receive very little beyond developing social skills in a culture that perverts the very meaning.

If you want to have some free time, then send your young child to a glorified day-care. If you have engaged in the above behaviors and activities with your child, this could be a good thing; aside from the weekly bouts with illness. Or, you could wait until your child is a bit older and more well-developed in the better nature of human development (conscientiousness, self-awareness, charity, constitution, courage, well-being, etc.) and give them an advantage over all of those future doctorates, masters degree holders, etc. in that they will be able to cope with any given situation and to be able to do so with a cool head.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Good luck, my friend.

Edited May 22, 2013 by cup-O-coffee

[comserve]

My boy's in preschool. He loves it.

He can write his name in Thai and English and spell and write lots of simple words in English (cat, mat, fat, sat, dad, dog, mum etc etc).

Lots of fun and creative activities geared towards learning Thai script. Lots of physical activity outside, playing and exploring water and sand properties etc.

Some spatial and verbal reasoning too as well as an increase in concentration.

But most importantly, he views all of these activities as fun - there's no stressful 'you must sit down and study' pressure on him.

He's 3 and a half.

I agree. We are bringing up my wife's grand child - have had him in the house from birth & he started at pre-school just before he turned 3.

He is now almost 4 & is doing well, socialises well & I am very impressed.

I am told that he will be at the school he is at until the age of 7. It costs about 8,000 baht/term with another 1,200baht to go for inter-term activities.

His mother works at a hotel spa on an island east of Bangkok. If plans work out I plan for us all to move back to Aus in a few years. In the meantime the young one is doing great & learning (and enjoying) a lot.

[mickjn]

I like Lady Pla is really thinking about it now for Baby Eye.All the wants to do is drink milk and eat ice cream.He is 15 in September

[Skytrain2hell]

I believe that once the child has outgrown the home, it's time for school. That happened quickly for my daughter since she wasn't getting much social interaction during the day. We don't let her watch TV for more than maybe 30 minutes a day (tops), and she really thrives in social settings.

When she turned 2 years old, we had a son. It was becoming quite a burden for my wife, and our daughter wasn't getting what she needed. At 2.5 years of age, we put her in an international nursery school that is really focused on creativity, exploring, music, and physical activity. I couldn't be happier. All the western teachers are female, and the ratio is 5 students to 1 teacher. We get a personalized paragraph about what she did everyday as well as a portfolio of drawings and/or captioned photos from the day. Thus, when she gets home...the learning picks up from where she left off.

Her growth over the past 6 months has been tremendous. Will I do the same thing for my son? It all depends on him. As a parent, you know when your kids are ready. If you can't give them what they need while they are at home, you find a suitable solution.

[CWMcMurray]

Both our kids started at 3.5 years old and both enjoy going to school

Songs , games , toys etc..

They also do learn a bit about alphabet, counting, colors, shapes etc... (Both in English and Thai), but this is done through songs and games, so it is fun for them

It has all been good so far and can't complain

The truth of the matters that kids are versatile and can adjust well. When ever you decide to send them to school, as long as you support them in the learning process (wether at home or school)they will be fine

You are not going to destroy or hurt your kids future, wether they start at 3 or 7 years old...

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[PalMan]

This is from India, and coming from the other end tertiary studies, but perfectly captures the exact same syndromes that permeate the Thai education system.

http://qz.com/86903/students-are-the-victims-and-culprits-of-indias-broken-higher-education-system/

[sirchai]

A kid who is not yet at school at 5 is likely to be retarded...

2 might be too early but 3 or 4 latest is good.

It also depends what he is going to learn at school and for sure he could learn a lot more at home if you are smart enough to teach yourself BUT going to school gives to kids a social life that can help them in the future, so if they learn at home they should go to sport or any other activity twice a week at least.

No need to spend 400000 thb i(never heard about 600k ?) in international school where an alcoholic hooker banger will pretend to teach anything to your kids, some schools a lot cheaper are good enough for very young children.

I think it is ridiculous seeing 3 year old kids dressed in uniforms similar to what children years older wear. This country is far too militaristic.

Sorry, but I a sort of disagree. Take the States as an example. Some kids got killed, only because of a pair of expensive sneakers. Clothes show from which social background kids are coming from. No Nike's, no Levis jeans, etc....and 'rich' kids treat 'poor' kids like shit.-

Edited May 22, 2013 by sirchai

[ALFREDO]

Don't destroy the kid's childhood by sending him to a school now.. Let him have his afternoon nap at home.Fun ends with going to school.-

Yes, my opinion to.

I was never in "Kindergarten" but Mam gave me, after a test, I had to make a year earlier in school as it would have been under the circumstances.

Was also a bad solution. I was the smallest, was teased and was not happy. Struggled in Middle school.

I read once the statement,

that the first 6 - 6 1/2 years in your life, before you start school usually, in my days, is the only time when you can and should, really feel free,

without worry and without great restrictions!

The only time in life, when, you not have to think from getting up early, homework, study, tests, a job, to earn money, your GF, wife, your children, grandchildren ect.

So, if you have the time and possibility and not both parents are working,

let your child spend as much time as possible with you and not push him in a Kindergarten or nursery school.

Except, the child wants to go there.

You will never have your child time and attention again in his life, in that way, as you can enjoy it in these first 6 years.

Edited May 22, 2013 by ALFREDO

[NoshowJones]

A kid who is not yet at school at 5 is likely to be retarded...

2 might be too early but 3 or 4 latest is good.

It also depends what he is going to learn at school and for sure he could learn a lot more at home if you are smart enough to teach yourself BUT going to school gives to kids a social life that can help them in the future, so if they learn at home they should go to sport or any other activity twice a week at least.

No need to spend 400000 thb i(never heard about 600k ?) in international school where an alcoholic hooker banger will pretend to teach anything to your kids, some schools a lot cheaper are good enough for very young children.

I think it is ridiculous seeing 3 year old kids dressed in uniforms similar to what children years older wear. This country is far too militaristic.

Sorry, but I a sort of disagree. Take the States as an example. Some kids got killed, only because of a pair of expensive sneakers. Clothes show from which social background kids are coming from. No Nike's, no Levis jeans, etc....and 'rich' kids treat 'poor' kids like shit.-

I'm only talking about 3 and 4 year olds here, they are little more than babies, they are too young for Nikes or Levis. I don't imagine Kids of that age being interested in fashion.

[bigbamboo]

I would suggest three years at home, especially if the child has bi lingual parents, then the fourth half day at a pre school to prepare for starting full time at five. Of course it all depends on the family situation, whether there are siblings, what his friends are doing etc. and most importantly the child. There are no hard and fast rules so here's hoping you get it right!

By the by, I still love the old tale from England about the boy who went to school for the first time, all kitted out in school uniform with his pencil box and satchel all ready for the 'big day'. When he got home mum asked if he liked school and if he was looking forward to going again tomorrow.

The boy looked horrified. "You mean I have to go back again tomorrow?"

[NoshowJones]

A kid who is not yet at school at 5 is likely to be retarded...

2 might be too early but 3 or 4 latest is good.

It also depends what he is going to learn at school and for sure he could learn a lot more at home if you are smart enough to teach yourself BUT going to school gives to kids a social life that can help them in the future, so if they learn at home they should go to sport or any other activity twice a week at least.

No need to spend 400000 thb i(never heard about 600k ?) in international school where an alcoholic hooker banger will pretend to teach anything to your kids, some schools a lot cheaper are good enough for very young children.

I think it is ridiculous seeing 3 year old kids dressed in uniforms similar to what children years older wear. This country is far too militaristic.

Sorry, but I a sort of disagree. Take the States as an example. Some kids got killed, only because of a pair of expensive sneakers. Clothes show from which social background kids are coming from. No Nike's, no Levis jeans, etc....and 'rich' kids treat 'poor' kids like shit.-

Three year old kids are not interested in fashion, they are little more than babies.

[Forethat]

I agree - Thais start sending their kids way too early to get a "head start". I would recommend no earlier than five.

I would actually avoid sending them to school at all in Thailand if you can possibly avoid it, unless you can afford the B600,000 per year the dozen or so good international schools charge. In the early years home-school them, hire a private tutor if necessary.

When they get to the age where you begin to think they really should be in school then move back to your country or someplace with a decent education system.

The best in the world IMO is Finland, and they start at seven. Finn kids also spend much fewer hours per day at school than in countries with bad school systems.

Of course they should learn to "socialize" with other kids - playgroups, gymboree-type schools etc.

And there's something to be said for them learning to take orders, work in unison, stand in line etc but too much of this too early definitely stifles creativity which is what really should be emphasized at that development stage.

Don't know if there are any Steiner schools here, but many claim to be based on Montessori, which would at least be better than the standard Thai-system garbage.

The key criteria for me would be that the school is actually run in all pedagogical matters by a westerner, Thais will usually hold the purse strings, but in no circumstances should the western teachers day-to-day report to a Thai "educator".

I have no idea about Finnish schools per se, but Finland has serious deep social (cultural) issues that damage people in a deep way. Psycologically they are really screwed up - burying all emoption unless blindly drunk and they also have the worlds highest suicide rates as a result of this.

You're making an incorrect statement. According to WHO, Finland has the 19th highest suicide rate in the world.