The first year of school can be stressful - not for the kids, but for the parents!
They want their little ones to do well at school and some pushy parents will already be thinking about the problem (25) ______ they can get their child to the top of the class.
But some parents are concerned about the rules for when children should start school.
The School Admissions Code for England says that children (26) ______ join the reception class the September after their fourth birthday.
But here is the problem: A four year old who is born in August could be in the same class as someone who was born in October of the previous year! (27) ______ of them were four years old in September.
The older child will probably do better in class tests. He or she is almost a year (28) ______ (old)! This can affect the confidence of the younger child.
Now England's schools minister, Nick Gibbs says that the rules should (29) ______ (change). In an open letter to councils, schools and parents he says, “Parents know their children best”.
And he said that some parents “feel forced (30) ______ (send) their child to school before they are ready”.
He proposes that children that are born during the summer can join the class when they are four or wait (31) ______ they are five.
Dr. David Whitebread, an educationalist from Cambridge University says that the UK has a summer-born effect just (32) ______ children start school so young.
“In countries with these later starting ages, there is a very much reduced summer-born effect or none at all”, he said.
25. how 26. must 27. Both 28. older 29. be changed 30. to send 31. until 32. because
