When should a child start Kindergarten?
With Kindergarten being more difficult these days, parents and school officials are opting to “red shirt” children
After the morning announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance, Andersen’s kindergartners sat down on a blue rug. Two, one boy and one girl, had been redshirted — the term, borrowed from sports, describes students held out for a year by their parents so that they will be older, or larger, or more mature, and thus better prepared to handle the increased pressures of kindergarten today. Six of Andersen’s pupils, on the other hand, were quite young, so young that they would not be enrolled in kindergarten at all if North Carolina succeeds in pushing back its birthday cutoff from Oct. 16 to Aug. 31
[...]
Labor economists who study what’s called the accumulation of human capital — how we acquire the knowledge and skills that make us valuable members of society — have found that children learn vastly different amounts from the same classroom experiences and that those with certain advantages at the outset are able to learn more, more quickly, causing the gap between students to increase over time. Gaps in achievement have many causes, but a major one in any kindergarten room is age. Almost all kindergarten classrooms have children with birthdays that span 12 months. But because of redshirting, the oldest student in Andersen’s class is not just 12 but 15 months older than the youngest, a difference in age of 25 percent.
[...]
After rug time, Andersen’s kindergartners walked single-file to P.E. class, where the children sat on the curb alongside the parking circle, taking turns running laps for the Presidential Fitness Test. By far the fastest runner was the girl in class who had been redshirted. She strode confidently, with great form, while many of the smaller kids could barely run straight. One of the younger girls pointed out the best artist in the class, a freckly redhead. I’d already noted his beautiful penmanship. He had been redshirted as well. [More...]
Filed under: Children's Issues
In S’pore, children go to “Nursery” when they are four, but then go through two years of Kindergarten before starting Primary One (first grade).
Salam alaikoum
Back in my day, the cutoff was October 1st and my birthday was the 3rd. They let me in, but I was the youngest in the class. My cousins (born in November) were a grade behind me. The reasoning was that I had passed all the tests required to start with flying colors and had two years of preschool under my belt. Back then I remember my aunts and uncles wishing my cousins had slid in under like I did. I think the age difference may make a difference in kindergarten, but there was no noticeable difference as I got older (as my flunky high school grades attest).
Here in KSA you don’t have to start school until 1st grade. KG is optional and you pay for it. I sent my daughter to Rodaw (preschool) and Tamheedee (Kg). I really did not want her to have to do another yearof the same stuff so when registration started I took her in like May to register for 1st grade. They would not let her in because her b-day was after the dealine. I’m persistant though and took her back when school started in September. Those 1 or 2 day moonsightings really do make a difference because 4 months later she made it by 4 days! She is the youngest person in her class. Actually most of her classmates are two years oldr than her because Saudi’s don’t mind holding their kids back until they can send them to school with a sibling. I have an American friend here, who all of her kids are behind in school because she will not send themuntil they are 7 years old.
Ma’sha’Allah this was a good article.
I recall reading something like it from NewsWeek.
There used to be a time in the black community when women taught their children basic skills prior to sending them to kindergarden becuase race was such a strike against them they surde didn’t need anything else.
I’m home schooling and my goal is for my daughter to begin junior college no later than 15. Home schooling is a way of life, most home schooled students are maturer than their public school counterparts, and are 1 to 5 grades ahead.
I encourage anyone who can do so to home school.
Leave the fitnah from public schools alone!
: )
As salaamu alaikum:
Mother of Aminata:
You could not have posted this message at a better time. Masha Allah. I am looking into homeschooling my son and daughter. My son will be entering th 4th grade and duaghter going into kg, Insha Allah. I have always been big on education and have always purchased extra workbboks for my son, as for my daughter - I have implemented my own preschool cur. with her as well. Anyway, could you kindly take the time to list some helpful suggestions in homeschooling, webites, books and cur. that you use also how you plan your day/week/schedule. What extra cur. activities do you do, are you part of a homeschooling club, etc.. Also what do you supplement with Islamic Studies, Arabic and Quran.
I would greatly appreciate it, maybe others can benefit as well.
May Allah (swt) reward you….
Many studies have shown that children who are homeschooled perform poorly in college. I would look at the evidence that supports homeschooling against evidence which argue against homeschooling.
My daughter started pre-school and kindergarten earlier and she is way ahead of her peers as 6th grader.
Salam
Ron, can you give a link to such a study? My problem with homeschooling is that the children don’t get social interaction. I can see how they would struggle with the social interaction part, but not on academics if their parents were qualified (and have the time and money) to teach.
Homeschooling may have some advantages where “book learning” is concerned, but the children don’t get a chance to grow up socially. This is especially important for boys. You have to learn to deal with people you like and those you DO NOT like. You have to deal with people of different races and religions. Being a minority, you have to learn to deal with people that are different.
I have seen cases where children that have been home schooled for a few years, come to school and have a major problem with social interaction and it takes them a couple of years to adjust.
If parents that are qualified home school their children and can fill in these gaps, then they probably will not have a problem. The problem is that some parents just do not qualify and they are hurting their children
Tariq Nelson -
I apologize for that inaccurate comment. I was referring to a documentary on either 20/20 or Dateline that did a special on case of homeschooled children not being prepared for either standarized tests or college entry exams. My mistake.
Salam
Salaam’Alaikum Ummie Of 2
Here are some basic “mainstream” resources:
1)National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI)
PO Box 13939
Salem OR 97309 USA
phone (503) 364-1490
fax (503) 364-2827
http://www.nheri.org
mail@nheri.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
2)Home School Legal Defense Association
P.O. Box 3000 · Purcellville, VA 20134-9000 · Phone: (540) 338-5600 · Fax: (540) 338-2733 · E-mail: info@hslda.org
3)Home School Foundation
P.O. Box 1152
Purcellville, VA 20134
For further information about the Foundation, please contact Leah Garber by phone at 540-338-8899, by e-mail at info@homeschoolfoundation.org, or send correspondence to:
For specific information, please contact:
Widows Fund
Compassion Fund
Patty Taylor, info@homeschoolfoundation.org
Members Helping Members
Friends of Homeschooling
Leah Garber, info@homeschoolfoundation.org
Children of Single Parents Fund
Sarah VanTassel, info@homeschoolfoundation.org
Special Needs Children’s Fund
Laurie Paist, laurie@homeschoolfoundation.org
PHC Scholarship Fund
Cherise Ryan, info@homeschoolfoundation.org
Generation Joshua Fund
Sarah Mehrens, GenerationJoshua@hslda.org
4)The Everything® Homeschooling Book
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Adams Media Corporation (April 2003)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1580628680
ISBN-13: 978-1580628686
Salaam’Alaikum
For the sake of time I copy and pasted my own reply about home schooling from an womens online community I belong to, hopefully it benefits you sister.
What first made you decide to home school:
1) The ability to see to it that I teach my daughter life skills, emotional intelligence, coping skills, problem solving/stress/conflict management skills. The ability to see to it that she implements what she is taught. In my experience and in my opinion the public school does not teach anybody any life skills period. I stated in my other thread that several of the women in my family all are which of products of public schools have ruined themselves over sex, men, and the search for companionship. ( and yes I’m aware this happens despite their education or upbringing I’m not solely blaming public schools).It would be my worst nightmare for my daughter to make it into an Ivy League school, Sister Ivy League School(Stauts) or Historically Black College ( Not accepting anything less than that) and than undue her hard earned success by making emotional, reckless, lust driven, decisions especially major life decisions. The consequences are never pretty and suffering this way is no reasonable or mature method to progress in life. I do not believe that a child needs to experience the worst elements of adulthood in childhood in order to mature and be socialized. Especially black children- they are doomed if they do.
2) According to the Home Education Research Institute many home schoolers are 1 to 5 grades ahead of their public school counterparts. My goal is for my daughter is to be enrolled in a junior college by the time she is 15 years old and graduated from undergraduate by the time she is 19 and re-enrolled in a Masters program by the time she is 21. I do not believe in and practice many Eurocentric models of living especially regarding that of childhood. Childhood is social constructions that came about in the West I believe after WW2 can’t recall exact date. I’m a major fan John Taylor Gatto even though he is white brother is on point as far this family is concerned. I do not need to extended her childhood until she is 30. By 30 She has gotta roll up out of here LOL!! I’m not raising a child I’m raising an adult. I want to see to it that prior to leaving our home our daughter has at the minimum ascertained her undergraduate degree preferably masters degree with out getting pregnant, getting STD’s, going broke, shooting up a bunch of innocent students, or becoming emotionally burned out.
3) The opportunity to establish a solid Islamic foundation and character development that can not be broken down by disbelief and not having to compete with some forms of secularism prevalent in both public and private schools. The opportunity to train her how to use her faith as vehicle to success, growth, and purification. The opportunity to train her how faith and science is not incompatible. The opportunity for her to travel to her fathers country Senegal, Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and maybe Israel. I want her to travel as she is growing not after she is done growing!! Our travel plans would conflict with most public/private schools schedules. It’s important that she see’s the world as she growing up so she knows there is another reality be it good or bad or inbetween. I want her to be a member of the international community not just a citizen of the United States. Many public and private schools will not teach this to her.
4) Home schooling is more affordable than a private school in our area. For $20to$25K I could finance her curriculum for years, all those trips I just mentioned, and a couple of recreational activities!!
My Definition of Home Schooling:
Educating and edifying the mind, character, and soul of my children in a variety of settings with a variety of methods.
Mother Of Aminata
Salaam’Alaikum Brother Tariq Nelson
I respectfully disagree with your statement concerning the socialization of children.
Ron
I respectfully disagree with your statement concerning the quality of college preperation amongst home educated students.
I’m trying to be disrespectful or rude- but those statements are just flat out lies. They are the usual knee jerk reactions to people who aren’t completely educated about home education.
Totally not the truth.
I’ll half to come back and paste links later on today or Tuseday. I know those statements just do not vouch for the mainstream home schooling community.
If you don’t mind Brother Nelson can you please define as “what you” believe to be adequate qualifications in order for a parent to home school please?
I notice on your blog when it concerns the AA Muslim community there is allot of negativism. I can just imagine you’re thinking of some AA sister with a G.E.D. or nothing at all sitting on welfare trying to home school her children.
That image came to mind when I read your statement.
I’m not saying that’s your intentions at nor am I trying to put words in your mouth.
I’ve seen the failure of all muslims despite their ethnic background when it comes to home schooling.
My other question to you is, are you qualifications just for AA’s or AA Muslims or for everybody?
Not trying to play class warfare but you some times come off very elitist to me.
Oops
Okay last post
Ummie 2
I will not be using Islamic matierals for supplements. I plan on enrolling our daughter in a weekend program if they people aren’t extremist and whacked out!!
Peace
I was homeschooled for exactly one school year when I was in 7th grade. My parents decided, for God knows what reason, that it would be a good idea for my mother and I to spend extensive amounts of time together. And maybe they thought it would be a good way to shield my innocent young mind from the “horrors” of public school. Needless to say, I went back to public school after that year. Thank God. Public Service Announcement: For all those with children who don’t like being in the same room with you for longer than 30min at a time, homeschooling is most definitely not the way to go. I would definitely take into account your childrens’ feelings on this issue and not make them feel like this is the only and best option available to them or force them into anything they would really rather not do. It will only make you and your children miserable. Homeschooling is definitely not for everybody, something some parents don’t seem to realize until its a little too late.
Your ideas, especially traveling, seem great btw Mother of Aminata
Salaam,
I havent done any research or anything into this, but I don’t really understand the socialization problem when it comes to homeschooling. When someone homeschools, it doesn’t mean the child never interacts with other kids, right? There are other ways to encourage that without sending them to school. Like enrolling them in art classes, or sports activities, or whatever. So unless a kid is being imprisoned by the parents at home, there are ways to socialize without school.
Mother of Aminata:
A parent that home schools should have a college education - especially in the advanced grades - and have done due diligence in the needed curriculum. If a parent has that, then I don’t have a problem with it. My only concern is usually the socialization part of it. I am not a big believer in living in a bubble - home schooled or not.
Yes indeed there are some parents that do not have that and think that they can home school. As a home schooler, you know that it is not easy and takes a lot of time and money and not just anyone can do it. People make it sound so easy when it is not. As “L” said above: home schooling is not for everyone.
I know that that is not the came with all home schoolers. However, I must say that - the welfare part not withstanding - I have unfortunately seen what you describe above.
What I said was a general statement for everyone regardless of race or religion. I have seen college educated people educate their children extremely well - those children probably would have done well in a school anyway - and I have seen those who were not qualified and thought it was easy and it turned out to be a disaster.
Bottom line: Homeschooling is not for everyone
Thank you for replying Brother Nelson.
I’m beginning to wonder if you have different standards for AA Muslims ( or AA’s) becuase I see a very harsh tone in many of your blogs about us as a group of people.
“The educated Negroes” have the attitude of contempt toward their own people becuase in their own as well as in their mised schools Negroes are taught to admire the Hewbrew, The Greek, the Latin, and th Teuton and to despite the African.”
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, The Mis-Education Of The Negro
I believe that home schooling is another alternative available to everyone if theye elect to do it. I am strong advocate of Parental rights.
“African Americans may be the only group of people expecting some one else to educate their children.” Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, The Mis-Education Of The Negro
Let me also say, I was in now way trying to “sell” anybody on the idea of home schooling. I read another article about the transformation of American’s kindergarden last year I believe. I just believe that many challenges and problems could be prevented if a parent exercised their right to home school their own child.
Home schooling is not easy, it does require money, and allot of travel.
You do not need a college degree or an advanced degree if you:
1) Can afford to purchase an accredited curriculum
2) Can afford professional tutoring services from say Sylvan Learn Center etc
3) Can afford home schooling support services such as home schooling co-ops, meet up’s etc
4) Can afford to send your children to weekly recreational activities, camps, travel, etc
Also I’m a college student, and my degree status is “pending”. I half to pay cash for my tutition, books, and commute. So it will take years for me to complete my degree.
I don’t feel that worth and dignity as a human being is inferior. Nor do I feel like I am incompetent or unskilled.
I value self education.
I’m not against college. Our daughter is going to college for sure. But a credential is going to determine my worth as a human being.
You { Brother Nelson} remind me of Imam Johari.
I though your blog was a sincere attempt to challenge the strife, injustice, and crisis occuring in “our” Muslim community.
But the negativity, harshness, elitism, only perpuates it.
Why do you HATE working class people so bad?????????????????
I don’t understand?
Good character, emotional intelligence, coping skills, life skills, and manners can be taught outside of a class room and are not patented by the middle class or college educated.
Astirfuallah.
Oh well.
I will find a new blog! I need some positivity not negativity about every little thing!!
LOL, Imam Johari and I talk like everyday and work very closely together. Neither of us are “against working class people”. I don’t know if you read what I said, but what I said goes for all races not just AAs. Just because we work toward solutions doesn’t mean we need to be in denial
Mother of aminata. we are all entitled to our opinions and it is fine. Sad that a person can’t disagree with you without being considered evil. SMH
Mother of Aminata
Your responses are full of misspellings and grammatical mistakes…I hope you have someone else home schooling your kids…
The cutoff where I’m from used to be early september, as to why my five year old brother has yet to start kindergarten (his 6th birthday is September 20).
I think a child should start Kindergarten when the parents feel that child is ready. Should a seven year old start kindergarten? No. Parents have to take the responsibility to teach their children prior to enrolling them in public/private schools. It won’t hurt to go in advance to a school that you will be sending you child to, and ask for a run down on curriculum(sp?) or other things that will be expected for your child.
I had a cousin who was able to start kindergarten at age four (private schooler) but nonetheless his parents had prepared him and he didn’t suffer from being the youngest in his class.
There is not written rule on beginning school, parents must use their discretion.
FYI, my children were home schooled but my wife is also a college educated certified school teacher. Homeschooling is very expensive and potentially emotionally draining. So even when a parent is educated, they have to be emotionally prepared to take on the task as well. Speaking from experience I can say that it is a challenge and that it is not for everyone
On the socialization issue, there is a great Muslim based home schooling network in Northern Virginia in which the parents/teachers arrange field trips, educational outings and other ways for the children to get together
Homeschooling takes determination. College or not, as long as you are determined, you have many chances of success, insha’ALlaah. But even as an educated college person, there are chances you may not be able to teach certain classes to your children. My husband took some math classes to teach elementary school children math, and he reviewed with me, and I must say that with all of the changes lately, it is harder to teach math to young children. It’s definitely not as easy as it sounds to teach elementary math.
Socializing wise: I think as Muslims we can agree that there is a such thing as good and bad socialization. If as parents we have our kids involved in things outside the home, communicate with them, take them to visit family, invite muslims over, what should then be the problem? ANd even then, shouldn’t we as Muslims teach our children that there is a time to talk and a time not to? It’s not a bad thing to be a quiet person. If you think that kids are going to turn out totally anti-social, well, I think you need to look again. How many kids in regular school atmospheres actually are anti-social?
I haven’t read through the comments, has anyone considered Montessori schools? THey are much better for our children’s academic and social development.
As salaamu alaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatu:
I didn’t realize that the question of homeschooling would spark so many comments. And I pray to Allah that we don’t make the intent to offend anyone. Each parent will make the ultimate decision on what their child will do and how they will be educated, etc…
So, shukron Mother of Aminata for responding back to my request and I hope that you will continue to visit this site, there is still alot to benefit from.
Anyway, maybe this has opened the much needed door to explore what are Muslims doing in regards to educating our children both secularly and religiously. We can learn from one another’s expereinces, share information and strive to improve moving forward for the sake of our children’s welfare and the future of this Ummah.
May Allah (swt) aid us.
Salaam Alaikum Ummie of 2
I highly encourage you to contact the Home Schooling Legal Defense Fund, or a similar organization. You DO NOT need a teaching certificate or a college degree to successfully home school YOUR children. I’m not advocating ignorance or illiteracy. I’m advocating the TRUTH. Legislation in most states is on YOUR side. Parental rights have been upheld by our Supreme Court. No one including Brother Nelson or his “friend” Imam Johari has the moral or legal authority to tell anyone they can not home school their children. This is the parents decision. If another adult or organization contests your right to home school your children hire an attorney and sue them.
Also, if you do not have a college degree but are interested in pursuing one, I’d like to share the two colleges I’m working with at the moment.
The first college has a Teacher Education program, however, the Teacher licensure in this program is only valid in Iowa. When I made the decision to home school my child I decided that I wanted to have adequate preparation so I chose to enroll at Upper Iowa University. It’s affordable, and they have two distance learning options. The payment plans to both colleges are also affordable. I’m paying cash for my tuition, and books. I’m not accepting any loans from the government or anything else from the government. That’s my personal belief. I believe in paying as you go along.
I was attending NOVA and their tuition is affordable but I don’t have the time for a 45 minute plus commute. I’m also relocating to Front Royal Virginia so I’m really not up for an hour plus drive!!
I hope this information will also be helpful to you and your family.
If you ever care to discuss home schooling in a non-hostile environment with other home schooling parents who are thoroughly educated about their rights, responsibilities, and resources you can contact me at
ummaminata2005@hotmail.com : )
May Yal-Quddus, bless your goals, and your family.
Thomas Edison State College http://www.tesc.edu
Thomas Edison State College
101 W. State St. •Trenton, NJ 08608-1176
(88
442-8372.
Upper Iowa University http://www.uiu.edu.
External Degree Office
Upper Iowa University
P.O. Box 1861
Fayette, Iowa 52142
Phone: 1-888-877-3742
E-mail: extdegree@uiu.edu
SARAH:
BIG DEAL! Lady! So what!! I didn’t spell check my post before applying? So freaking what? It’s realy the end of the world I suppose?
FAROOQ:
I agree we are all entitled to our opinions. This discussion ended up being very one sided, and unchallenged. I never advocated home education for everyone. People are claiming I misunderstood them or misread their post. The same behaviour is being applied to me!! I never said everyone should home school. I said if the person has the ability to do it it may be a better solution to the problems occuring in our public school system.
I’m my child’s primary care taker, not some external source including the two posters on here who I really do believe are extremely elitist and hateful to blacks who don’t share their same social status.
No one is going to tell me what I can and can not do with MY child. I brought her here and I’m going to see to it that I raise her. I’m not open to delegating my parental obligations to a public or private school system. It’s my right and it’s my choice.
Brother Nelson and Imam Johair’s requirments for home schooling is just another form of compulsory education dressed up in disguise. Thats the issue I have with them on it. You can not overule parental rights based on your opinions or feelings. The Legislation is clear. I’d rather donate money to Home School Legal Defense Fund than give zakkat, thats how strongly I feel about the issue.
I stated in my post to Brother Nelson that I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful to him or put words in his mouth. I’m stating what I percieve. I’m stating what I believe based off his blog archives.
I know Imam Johair, and have been watching his career in this area for quite some time. I know of a personal situation with a dear friend who ended up burned and ruined by his counsel. I’m not going to even hide my personal disgust for him becuase of a real life situation. My opinions and feelings about him are based on real life not people sitting up on their high horse behind a computer demoralizing other people.
I stand firmly upon my previous comments:
Nobody has the right to demoralize, and belittle a whole group of people over a freaking college degree. That is what I believe both of these men do both on their websites and in real life. They are exlcusive. If it were up to Johari he would have where you can’t even bow in sujood to Allah in a musllah if you’re not middle class.
My husband also had a very terrible and nasty encounter with this man.
I can’t believe how horrible this discussion has ended.
Totally amazing to me.
Brother Nelson:
You don’t know me, but I do know you.
I never have written a single darn post on your blog that demonstrated denial about any of the problems occuring in our communities? I have also never excused you or anybody else of being in denial about any of the issues in our community either.
Are you going to stomp down the same message to the Amish, or the Mennonites? Or are they different becuase they are white and Christian?
Perhaps I’m misunderstanding you and your intentions.
But I stand firmly on what I said directly to you the first time: you come off as a very elitist, and exclusive individual.
I refuse to be bullied and intimidated by you and your friend “Imam Johari.”
Imam Johair’s post just proved my freakin point!!
Mother of Aminata:
Tariq, Johari and others simply gave their opinion. You construed that as being “bullied” and “intimidation”. Are they coming to your home with a militia and harassing you or something? I happen to agree with them that homeschooling is not for everyone. Some home schooling parents don’t know what they are doing, but no one has said they don’t have the right to it. My point is that because the brothers disagree with you that they represent all that is evil and need to be hanged.
I happen to know and like both brothers and have not seen the evil that you write about
Hey Tariq, you really get ‘em riled up. I applaud you, but considering the level of hatred aimed at you, I think you should seriously consider getting some police protection or something. Things are getting too serious
Subhanallah, MOA!
I’d rather donate money to Home School Legal Defense fund than give money to zakkat”
Zakat is a pillar of Islam. Seek refuge in Allah, when you are angry, because I am sure you did not mean that.
Mother Of Aminata,
May Allah bless you! It is good to see that your love for your children has allowed you to pursue a path that facilitates loving and nourishment. May Allah continue to make that easy for you. Ameen.
However, regarding Home Schooling in general, it is not for everyone. I would like to consider myself a close friend of brother Tariq. I feel safe in assuming that he will agree with my comments that Home Schooling is a legitimate way to educate your kids, it is and such be done those qualified to do so, just as with any other profession.
When looking at the short history of Home Schooling in the African-American Muslim community in particular, you find that it was used in large part as an excuse to safeguard children from public school, versus a real educational alternative designed to facilitate enrichment and understanding. I know of numerous sisters who had no educational background nor the actual zeal it takes to Home School (HS’ing from now on) that were “HS’ing” however their children were not learning and in some cases falling further and further behind.
It is clear that you represent the exception to this reality. I would like to caution you and everyone else from using the exception as the rule. This methodology is very dangerous and counter-productive.
Regarding an elitism Tariq is not an elitist, nor is Imam Johari, however they do want what is best for the community at large. Islam as a way of life is built for the success of society, then what is best for the individual. When looking at punishment, in some cases they seem barbaric however they protect all in society, even if there are those in society who would never do such an act. The same goes for HS’ing while for some it is a legitimate way educate however for most in society it is not; in large part do to the level of effort and the intelligence it takes. Perhaps Allah has blessed you with knowledge that allows you to teach your children at home but what about the other brothers and sisters who were not so fortunate. We have to look at things from a communal perspective. We have to create institutions that will have the greatest reach and effect on the community and work to fortify those institutions.
I think this will suffice and save the college degree issue for another time (I do not have a bachelors degree and was actually kicked out of college (Prior to Islam), but still understand its relevance and importance).
I hope this clears things up a bit, lets not encourage the exception rather create strategies that will lead to long term prosperity and success. Lets not become emotion and always try to put our best foot forward, and stay away from the last word syndrome.
Just my take.
Mohamed Witten
Paris Hilton was home schooled
Personally, I never attended pre-school and the reason my mother chose this path was because she felt emphasizing the family unit and family structure was just as much ‘education’ (if not more) as one would receive in a classroom setting.
Regardless of when a child begins school officially, I think great care needs to be given to encourage children of all ages (even young adults for that matter) to not think school is the only place learning can occur. Rather, the home should also be a main venue in which learning, creativity and ‘opening one’s mind’ is encouraged.
Allah knows best.