Parents worry about children being socially and emotionally ready for school: Survey

Nearly 80 per cent of parents who responded to a recent survey expressed their worries about their child being socially and emotionally ready for school, while more than two in five parents confirmed that their child had struggled with making the transition to school from an early learning environment. 

Early learning provider Young Academics, who conducted the survey, believe that music can support children to foster friendships and encourage key skills like turn-taking and sharing during group play, which in turn can make a significant impact on how ‘school ready’ children are, and how confident their parents feel about making the transition. 

Incorporating musical stimulation at such a young age, the provider notes, strengthens the brain’s ability to process sounds, improves listening skills, enhances attention, boosts memory, and builds neural pathways to help retain new information.

To enhance the musicality of children in its care, the provider has entered into an exclusive three-year partnership with The Wiggles.

This partnership includes four video resources each year, available exclusively to Young Academics families, incorporating music from the beloved children’s entertainers across seven key program areas: 

• core, 
• scholar, 
• creative, 
• wellness, 
• wellbeing, 
• our world, and; 
• discovery

Caterina Mete, known as The Red Wiggle, says the reputation The Wiggles have built over the years is thanks to those who have been members of the group, and their practical understanding and lived experience of working with and raising children. 

“For 20 years I’ve been working with and performing for children,” she said. 

“In this time you quickly learn what inspires young minds to want to engage and participate, and overall, what they’re going to enjoy singing or dancing along to.”

For Young Academics Director of Operations Jenni Gaffney the research has “really affirmed that Australian parents are seeking more ways to build confidence in their children and better support these transitions to new (or between) educational environments.” 

“When Australian parents were asked about their greatest concerns for a child moving between early education levels or onto big school, 60 per cent specifically mentioned making new friends, 59 per cent talked about their child’s ability to manage emotions, and 46 per cent said the idea of learning a new routine. Three common hurdles that music-based play – as one of the few activities that uses both the logical and creative sides of the brain – can help soothe and resolve,” she added.

Other key findings from the research include: 

• 61 per cent of parents believe that more resources to support this transition would ease their worries 
• 76 per cent of parents see early preparation as being essential for building confidence in school transitions at any level 
• 81 per cent of parents agree that early education positively impacts their child’s future academic success
  

Learn more about Young Academics here.