TOEFL iBT Independent Writing, early childhood education - revised -

Writing Topic

There are people who think that children should start school or kindergarten when they are still very young and should learn early in life to work hard at their studies. Others feel that young children should be more free and should spend a lot of time playing and enjoying themselves. Discuss these opinions. Which idea do you share?

☆Let’s Think

Discuss the following.

1.    Although there are individual differences in related factors such as innate ability and the environment like the family and community, how one spends the first few years of one’s life will significantly affect one’s life. Studies show that most human-brain neurons are formed by the time we turn 6 years old. In addition to the genetic factor, the environment you are in during these early years will decide what brain you will have, in other words, what kind of person you will be. In Japan, children start kindergarten at the age of 5 and school at the age of 7. Do they need to start studies earlier?

2.    What should people experience and learn when they are children?

3.    What is the purpose of early childhood education? What does it teach children? Do the subjects match their psychological development?

4.    What is given as education might be only a small part of what a child should learn, while it could be an essential initiation or kick start for an individual to do well in today’s society. Which view would you agree with?

5.    What about the child’s feelings and rights to pursue happiness?

6.    The topic requires you to discuss two totally opposite opinions about early childhood education. Will there be any difference and if so what kind of difference will there be between people who received early academic training and those who did not?

☆Hints for Points

Hints for points for agreement

1.    Early childhood education can allow children to make a head start in studies. Many of other children who did not receive early childhood education have difficulty in learning as they are not accustomed to sitting in the classroom and do not know what other children already know.

2.    Except for geniuses, who will teach themselves sooner or later, human beings are animals of habit. If they are not disciplined to work hard, they will be lazy all through their lives.

3.    In modern society, where traditional communities are gone, children need school as substitute for community. At school, they can interact with adults and other children and learn things that children in the past learned from people in their community such as interpersonal skills, manners, folk songs, or traditional plays, which will be their lifelong asset.

Hints for points for disagreement

1.    Some children who received early childhood education and now go to a prestigious high school say that they have not really appreciated it. They have always had a feeling of loss. They miss their lost childhood. They say they wanted to play more. They were always envious of other children playing in the park when they had to go to a cram school. They always feel as if they lack something important as a human being because of this lack of experience of ordinary childhood. (This idea is based on a response of a former student of mine.)

2.    I doubt whether the best environment in which a young child to prepare for the years to come is school or kindergarten because they are artificial. The world, nature and society, is complex and dynamic. Children should be exposed to them so that they can learn them directly. They should touch the earth, catch insects, or interact with many kinds of people before they start studies.

3.    Children should play as much as possible because play is their work. Playing helps acquire things of fundamental importance in life such as attentiveness to others and self-confidence. It also teaches children manners and social skills. Playing in nature will give children primordial fulfilling feelings that make them affirmative towards life. The free time one had in childhood will give one power to work hard in later years.

☆Sample Essay Structures

Sample Essay Structure 1

【Main Idea】 I share the idea that … because …

【About the first idea】

【About the second idea】

【My choice】

【Conclusion】

Sample Essay Structure 2

【Main Idea】 I agree with the opinion that … because …

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Why my choice outweighs the other choice】

【Conclusion】

Your Essay Structure

【Introduction】

【Point 1】

【Point 2】

【Point 3】

【Conclusion】