Delay formal lessons to age six, UK review says

(BBC): Children should not start formal learning until they are six, a review of primary education in England says. Instead the kind of play-based learning featured in nurseries and reception classes should go on for another year, the Cambridge Primary Review says. There is no evidence that an early introduction to formal learning has any benefit, the review says, but there are suggestions it can do some harm. Ministers say a starting age of six would be completely counter-productive. Most children start primary school in England aged four, and a large proportion are taking advantage of free, part-time pre-school places in local schools and privately-run nurseries from the age of three.

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