Anyone from German, I have a question for you.

[tslim]

I read an article on newspaper, saying that in German there is law prohibiting pre-school education (education on kids younger than seven), is that true?

[tomos]

I'm not from here, but I live here. I can tell you:
the normal school-going age is between 6 and 7 years old. It would be unusual for a child to start school at 7 years of age.
I dont know if starting school at a younger age is allowed or not. Probably not - otherwise the ages of the kids would be very varied.

Of course, the norm is to go to kindergarten for years before that.

[tslim]

I'm not from here, but I live here. I can tell you:
the normal school-going age is between 6 and 7 years old. It would be unusual for a child to start school at 7 years of age.
I dont know if starting school at a younger age is allowed or not. Probably not - otherwise the ages of the kids would be very varied.

Of course, the norm is to go to kindergarten for years before that.

I suppose kindergarten is pre-school education. According to the article I have read, it should be forbidden in German. I am keen to know whether what the article says is true.

[AbteriX]

kindergarten is not forbidden in germany. The opposite is true; in the past, kindergarten starts at 3 years old, now even baby's can be brought to kindergarten (the world goes more silly every day  )


.

[tomos]

According to the article I have read, it should be forbidden in German.

can you explain why? (according to the article)

[tslim]

The article is on a Hong Kong newspaper, talk about how harmful pre-school education can be. It starts by stating Germany law prohibit pre-school education and how successful Germany is, in producing talents etc. Sort of by forcing kids to memorize a lot of things in pre-school education we will destroy their creativity and analytic mind.

[tomos]

The article is on a Hong Kong newspaper, talk about how harmful pre-school education can be. It starts by stating Germany law prohibit pre-school education and how successful Germany is, in producing talents etc. Sort of by forcing kids to memorize a lot of things in pre-school education we will destroy their creativity and analytic mind.

I've heard that idea here as well. It makes sense to me on a 'common sense' level.
Has it had anything to do with Germany's success?
Who knows... in a 2009 report, the schools here rated poorly in comparision with other European schools (PISA report).
In many areas, there are shortages of highly-qualified people here - this has a lot to do with the low birthrate though.

[Lutz_]

This must have been a very misinformed article.  Schools are regulated by the states in Germany, but none of the states is crazy enough to outlaw education.  Education is free in Germany; including universities.
Elementary school and with it compulsory education starts at age 6;  Kindergarten (not compulsory) at age 3, I guess.  Usually kids start leaning how to read and write in elementary school, beginning with the first grade - this is unlike the US (where they believe kids have to start reading in kindergarten) and unlike Finland (said to have the best schools - where kids supposedly start reading at age 7; http://www.newamerica.net/blog/early-ed-watch/2008/how-finland-educates-youngest-children-9029).