[chrismealy]

None of this early academic education is necessary. In Finland, which consistently has top scores in reading and math, kids don't start school until they're seven, and at that point they're only expected to be able to turn text rightside up.

(And before anybody jumps to the "homogenous society" explanation, Finland used to have mediocre schools before they put a lot of effort and money into them in the 70s and 80s.)

[astockwell]

Really appreciate the perspective. This is just one more on the huge pile of things where the US would be well served to just look around at how other countries are doing it better.

[liberte82]

It's funny how a child shouting "me first!" will generally be scolded for being selfish, yet an entire nation shouting "America first!" is somehow considered virtuous.

[aeorgnoieang]

The population of Finland is roughly 5.5 million. The population of New York City (not the metro area) is 8.5 million. There are almost certainly 'scaling' problems with "just look around at how other countries are doing it better".