Some people think children should begin their formal education at an early age

IELTS Writing Task 2 with sample answer.

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Some people think that children should begin their formal education at an early age and should most of their time on school studies. Others believe that young children should spend most of their time playing.

Compare these two views. Which view do you agree with? Why?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Write at least 250 words.


Sample Answer:
The appropriate age for children to begin school is one of the most heated and polarizing issues in education, but the ongoing debate in across the globe is pushing already a divided opinion to extremes. In one circle, it is argued that schools to start admitting children as young as three to try to solve the problem of poor parenting. In the opposite circle, it is believed that children should spend more time playing and formal schooling should be delayed till seven. In this instance, I am of the honest opinion that children should spend most time playing.

In most countries, compulsory schooling starts at five, although in practice almost all four years old kids are in school. But many argue that even five is too late for some children. They contend that some children from poor background need to start school at three or even two to counter the effects of their upbringing. In the case, a research conducted by the Sutton Trust, a charity that works for improving social mobility, reveals that four and five year old kids from the wealthiest backdrops were 19 months ahead of those from the poorest families. Moreover, they believe the earlier the better. They argue that when children start school at an early, they tend to remember and retain more.

Pushing in the opposite direction, many circles outcry that five is already too early and damages our kids. Rather than starting earlier, they contend that children should start school at seven, and focus between three and seven on playing rather than studying. They argued that evidence on the nexus between achievement and school starting age is inconclusive. Dr David White bread, an expert in developmental psychology in Cambridge University’s faculty of education, sets forth evidence that even children from underprivileged backgrounds in particular benefit from an extended play-focused experience. He emphasizes on the importance of play in children development. He says that play is fun, but it is more than that. According to White bread, play is closely related to cognitive development and emotional well-being. Children enjoy play, but at the same time they also learn from.

However, I support the notion that playing is not merely a way of entertainment of children. Children can learn subtly through the play. Children can get real experience during the playtime and on which they can later develop their theoretical knowledge. In addition to this, play is also crucial for becoming active and for physical fitness. That is why, I feel that children should spend more time play instead of sitting in a classroom that matters children’s overall development.

From what has been discussed above we may draw the conclusion that both points of view have their merits. Although schools provide children with an organized learning approach, play is the handiest tool to develop a rounded child. Most importantly, we have no right to truncate their childhood.