These are the character traits parents think kids should learn early in life

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

PARENTS, WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU WANT YOUR KIDS TO DEVELOP IN LIFE?

HONESTY AND RESPECT TOP THE LIST ACCORDING TO A STUDY BY ONEPOLL AND KIDDIE ACADEMY. 

THEY SURVEYED 2,000 U.S. PARENTS OF CHILDREN AGES 6 AND UNDER FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION.

RESULTS ALSO SHOW THREE IN FIVE PARENTS (62%) WANT THEIR KIDS DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS BEFORE THEY’RE 8, WHILE FEWER EMPHASIZE THINGS LIKE MATH (37%) OR SCIENCE (21%).

PARENTS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION. IN FACT, NEARLY ALL OF THEM (95%) SET ASIDE AT LEAST TWO HOURS A WEEK TO TALK TO THEIR KIDS ABOUT WHAT THEY’VE LEARNED IN SCHOOL.

NON-ACADEMIC SKILLS PARENTS THINK SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

• Financial literacy (e.g., filing taxes, budgeting, etc.) - 61%
• Sewing/ knitting - 46%
• Internet safety - 45%
• Gardening - 37%
• Cooking/ baking - 35%
• Basic home repairs (e.g., painting a room, fixing squeaky doors, etc.) - 35%
• Cleaning their room - 34%
  

SOCIAL ISSUES PARENTS THINK SHOULD BE TAUGHT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

• Discrimination (e.g., based on race, religion, appearance, etc.) - 66%
• Health care (e.g., access to affordable care, treatments, etc.) - 61%
• Human rights - 55%
• Wage inequality - 42%
• Climate change - 36%
• Immigration - 28%
• Hunger/ poverty - 16%

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 American parents with children ages 0–6 was commissioned by Kiddie Academy between Dec. 23, 2022 and Jan. 2, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).