Lessons too early `scare off infants'

CHILDREN ARE being put off education for ever because government policies are forcing them into formal lessons too soon, playgroup leaders said yesterday.

Members of the Pre-School Learning Alliance added their protests to those of other early-years campaigners who fear that new learning goals for children aged three and four may damage children.

Last week, early excellence centres set up by the Government criticised the proposed curriculum for under-fives. Yesterday, the National Association for Primary Education also argued that play, a vital ingredient in young children's learning, is being ignored.

Ministers are anxious to counter accusations that they are forcing children into reading and writing too early. Margaret Hodge, the Schools minister, will today tell a conference of pre-school representatives that the goals are meant to show what pupils should be able to do at five or six, not when they are three.

Playgroup leaders point out that the policies of this and the previous government have led to four-year-olds being put into reception classes that may not be staffed or equipped to cope with them. The school starting age, they say, is now effectively four, not the statutory age of five.

Their report argues: "With hundreds of thousands of four-year-olds in reception classes there is a very real risk of alienating young children from education almost before they have had a chance to begin.

"Young and vulnerable children are often intimidated by an early start to their schooling and may revert to bed-wetting, nightmares or show other classic symptoms of stress."

Research comparing reading standards in 32 countries found there was little disadvantage in a late start to education. Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland, where children begin reading at the age of seven, were all in the top 10 scoring countries.

The new government goals for five-year-olds say they should be able to count to 10, to write the letters of the alphabet, their names and a few other common words.

Play, says the report, is in danger of being marginalised. Yet vulnerable children, such as those coping with family breakdown, are helped most by play.

Ministers have promised every four-year-old a nursery, school or playgroup place. Government sources said: "We believe most parents would see the proposed goals as common sense."

n Competitive sports are to be made optional for over-14s under national curriculum proposals to be announced tomorrow. Instead of being forced out on to the playing field, pupils will be able to choose non-competitive pursuits such as aerobics or swimming in a move aimed at encouragingteenagers to keep fit once they leave school.