<p>It is not just Finnish system that starts kids at 7. There is no need to start them early, just let them kids play. They do not need to know how to read before 7 anyway, unless they want. The US elementary mostly waste of time, doing busy work filling sheets. Parents do not have to teach their kids either, unless they want to. In american system, they must, though, otherwise kids will miss a lot, particularly in math and sciences. We always answere all our D’s questions, even if it involved reading her textbooks and learning material.</p>