Children typically do not start school until about age 5 in the United States. It may be somewhat later in different countries, but seldom earlier. This pattern was developed before theories of child...

Children typically do not start school until about age 5 in the United States. It may be somewhat later in different countries, but seldom earlier. This pattern was developed before theories of child development were created, but the ages at which various elements enter the curriculum are predictable from such theories. The dominant approach, that of Piaget, makes certain predictions about children’s capabilities.

1. What should determine the age at which a child starts school?

2. What does Piagetian theory have to say about a child’s ability to learn abstract mathematical symbols?