1. The start of the child’s formal education:

The Upsherinish ceremony does not just carve out the Peyos of the Jewish boy, but officially begins his Jewish education in Torah and Mitzvos. While many parents may choose even prior to the child reaching the age of three to already begin various acts of education in Mitzvos, nonetheless, from age three and onwards this matter becomes crucial and should be monitored on a greater scale to verify the son’s fulfillment of these matters. The Rebbe Rayatz in a letter records a number of practices that one should begin to educate the child in starting from three years old.[1] As the Rebbe points out, one may begin these practices even prior to age three, although at the very least it should begin by age three, and it should then be more particularly supervised from this age.[2] This applies even if the actual haircutting ceremony had to be delayed past the birthday, such as in a case that the child was born on a day that haircuts are not allowed, nevertheless, the other customs of Chinuch should be begun immediately on the third birthday, and not delayed until the Upsherinish.[3]

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[1] Igros Kodesh Rayatz 2:438; Brought in Hayom Yom 4^th Iyar; Sefer Haminhagim p. 87; Igros Kodesh 5:21

[2] Igros Kodesh 9:181; Shevach Habris 1:1 footnote 1; Sefer Seder Hayom Seder Chinuch Habanim; So is proven from Halacha that the moment the child knows to speak [even prior to age three, he is to be taught Torah]

Other opinions: Some are particular that one should not begin any education of the child in Torah or Mitzvos prior to age three. [Arugos Habosem 210, based on Yalkut Shimoni Kedoshim that prior to age three the child is considered like fruits of Arla]

[3] Likkutei Sichos 33:297