David Whitebread and Sue Bingham argue against accepting children into formal schooling at young ages as if children make up a single entity (16 November, p 28). Nothing could be further from the truth. Some children can read books aimed at 7 to 8-year-olds at the age of 3. Some will never learn to read. There are roughly Gaussian distributions of abilities in mathematical, artistic, musical and social capabilities. It is ludicrous to promulgate rules that restrict entry into schools based on age. It is far more appropriate to consider each child as an individual with a particular suite of skills, and base entry to a particular school or programme on those skills.
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