Two-thirds of parents believe pandemic has put their child behind

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

TWO IN THREE PARENTS ARE RELIEVED THE SCHOOL YEAR HAS STARTED, BUT NOT BECAUSE THEY WANT A BREAK FROM THEIR CHILDREN. 

ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY OF 2,000 PARENTS OF CHILDREN AGES 6 AND UNDER, MORE THAN HALF (56%) BELIEVE SCHOOL GIVES THEIR KIDS A CHANCE TO GET BACK TO MORE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.

CONDUCTED BY ONEPOLL ON BEHALF OF THE GODDARD SCHOOL, THE STUDY REVEALED THREE IN FIVE (61%) BELIEVE THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS PUT THEIR CHILD BEHIND BOTH SOCIALLY AND DEVELOPMENTALLY. 

IN FACT, LEARNING SOCIAL SKILLS (36%) AND GAINING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE (35%) WERE TWO OF THE TOP CITED AREAS IN WHICH PARENTS BELIEVE THEIR CHILDREN NEED THE MOST SUPPORT OR IMPROVEMENT. 

PRE-PANDEMIC, MORE THAN HALF (55%) OF PARENTS ENGAGED THEIR CHILD IN SOME SORT OF SOCIAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN THREE AND SIX TIMES PER WEEK.

BUT DURING THE PANDEMIC, THAT NUMBER DROPPED TO 44%, AND 11% OF PARENTS SAID THEIR CHILD ENGAGED IN ZERO SOCIAL ACTIVITIES DURING THIS TIME. 

PARENTS RANK TOP BENEFITS FROM SCHOOL BEYOND CURRICULUM 

• Learning social skills - 47%
• Making friends - 47%
• Getting exposure to new situations - 45%
• Learning how to problem solve - 45%
• Gaining social-emotional intelligence - 44%
• Learning how to be independent - 44%
• Complying with social standards - 40%