School Start Age: Three Months and Beyond, With Flexibility in The Decision to Start School

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the school starting age of 69-71 months old children according to the opinions of teachers and parents. In this qualitative study, phenomenology design was used. The study group was determined by the maximum variation sampling method, which is one of the purposeful sampling types. The study group included 51 participants who were closely related to the school starting process. As a result of the study, while there are positive academic and physical opinions about children who start primary school early; There are negative views on social and psychological themes. Teachers' opinions are that 69-71 months old children should not start school (76%). Parents who send their children to kindergarten for one more year are fully satisfied with their decision to start school late (100%). Parents who start their children in primary school before completing 72 months are less satisfied with their decision to start primary school early (44%).

Keywords

• primary school
• preschool
• school starting age