TOW#11: "Too Much, Too Young"

David Whitebread, a developmental psychologist as the University of Cambridge, and Sue Bingham, an early childhood education consultant, recently wrote co-wrote the article, “Too Much, Too Young” in regards to the United Kingdom’s debate on whether schooling should begin at the age of two. In response, these two wrote this article to warn against the negative effects of early, formal education. They provided a large variety of statistics and the results of studies to support their reasoning, arguing that play-based learning at a young age is necessary for proper brain development. It allows children to gains linguistic skills as well as become more independent at an earlier age. Along with the personal effects of formal education at too young of an age, statistics support that countries that provide greater time for play-based education often have higher test scores when the children age, proving that the argument of trying to, “get ahead” does not work. School also causes a lot of stress; so forcing young children into formal education are exposing them exposed to stress at an early age, which can cause mental health problems. Whitebread and Bingham use vast amounts of facts to support their argument that young schooling negatively affects the children’s academic and emotional well-being. They are indirectly writing to the UK Minister of Education and the Office of Standards in Education to prevent the UK from lowering the age of formal schooling; they are also writing to inform parents of the dangers of putting excess pressure on young children and enrolling them in formal education style preschools. I believe that these purposes were achieved because they overwhelming amount of statistics and facts illustrate that Whitebread and Bingham both recognize and understand the opposing argument but have factual evidence to dispute other claims. By providing so much evidence they are proven to be extremely well-educated and trustworthy in these field giving the audience no reason to dismiss their points.

Article: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22029435.000-too-much-too-young-should-schooling-start-at-age-7.html#.UpyWrBY2mfQ

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URL: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22029435.000-too-much-too-young-should-schooling-start-at-age-7.html#.UpyWrBY2mfQ