I agree 100%.  I think that we can probably learn and relearn as we grow older but there is an ideal window of opportunity that comes into a young person's life when he or she has the enthusiasm and precious inborn confidence to learn how to do certain things.  Language and reading skills, playing musical instruments, trying out different kinds of sports.  A child should have a chance to spread his or her wings before too much fear, anxiety and self-consciousness set in. 

Just think what life would be like if a person waited until he or she was 16 before learning to WALK!  How scary that would be for that person!

Well, this was a great thread, I must admit.