Increasing Alberta's kindergarten entry age could make 'big difference' for some children, expert says

If the NDP government follows through on a proposed change to the province's Education Act, some Alberta children could be entering kindergarten at a later age.

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Currently, children mustbe four years old on or before March 1 to startkindergarten in September of the same calendar year which means the age range in the classroom can be as wide as 18 months.

"That's huge. In a lifeof a five-year-old, 18 months is like a quarter of their life," said Hetty Roessingh, a University of Calgary professor who specializes in early childhood education and literacy.

Should therules change, children entering kindergarten in the fall must turn five byDec.31 of the sameyear.

"Even a couple of months can make a big difference."

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The earlier cutoff date would put Alberta in line with other provinces but not Finland and Taiwan, where children stay home until they are seven.

"And they still outperform our little kids," said Roessingh.

"There are other countries who don't see a rush at all and go slow. They think slow is good."

Calgary Eyeopener7:25Kindergarten age in Alberta

A proposed change to the Education Act could change the cutoff date for kindergarten registration. We talk to Hetty Roessingh, an education professor at the University of Calgary, about the issue.

Change would shrink age gap in classroom

Calgary Catholic spokesperson Karen Ryhorchuk says Alberta's current system can be tough for children who enroll in kindergarten at age four.

"This can mean a range of abilities for students in that classroom, from anything to motor skills, language skills and this gap can be significant for some."

When it comes to academic performance, younger children can catch up quickly, saidRoessingh.

But, emotionally, that's not always the case.

"I know anecdotally, from friends of mine who were accelerated at an early age they often felt that, in those later yearstheir stride was always a bit off," she said.

"And it took well into their adult years to find it again, find the confidence to be who they wanted to be."

With files from the CBC'sAndrew Brown and the Calgary Eyeopener