Family psychologist reveals 1 key thing parents should do to prepare children for school | UK | News

Playdates are the most effective way to prepare young children for school, according to an expert. Family psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado claims one of the most beneficial things parents can do before September has absolutely nothing to do with reading or numbers.

Children aged between four and six who socialise with other children on a ‘regular’ basis develop vital skills such as turn-taking, empathy, patience, communication and problem-solving in a “natural and meaningful way” — ultimately making them more school-ready.

Dr Martha, who has teamed up with BBC Studios to champion Bluey’s annual theme Playdates with Friends, said: “There is a wealth of science that shows children’s early play experiences with peers positively predicts better social skills and peer acceptance in reception class or kindergarten.”

The advice follows a survey of 2,500 parents of three to seven-year-olds across the UK, USA and Australia, which found that 81% organise a playdate at least once a month.

Two thirds believe playdates help their child feel more confident around other youngsters, a view Dr Martha agrees with.

“In the classroom, children need to share space, take turns and navigate bumps and conflicts with other children,” she said. “Playdates give them the chance to begin building those skills before they start school – they are like impromptu mini life-skills workshops.”

However, she’s eager to remind parents that playdates don’t always need to be seamless and trouble-free: “Small disagreements, little moments of frustration and working things out together are all part of how children learn.”

When asked which activities contribute to a successful playdate, free outdoor play in a garden or park topped the list with 77% of respondents identifying this as essential. Simple crafts and drawing ranked second (64%), while role play and imaginative games came third (53%).

“Free play can be incredibly valuable for children,” Dr Martha added. “It gives them the chance to imagine, negotiate, solve little problems and build confidence together, all in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.”

Carried out through OnePoll, the study commissioned by BBC Studios found that playdates can help parents and carers in building local support networks.

Nearly four in 10 (39%) reported playdates have enabled them to forge new friendships with other adults, and similarly 36% stated they’ve had a positive impact on their social life. However, while playdates appear to offer numerous benefits, they’re not always straightforward to arrange.

Obstacles include not knowing other parents well (32%), conflicting schedules (42%), feeling uncomfortable about making contact (21%) and concerns about hosting at home (18%). Children, however, are unburdened by such concerns – they simply desire fantastic playdates that involve spending time playing outdoors (60%), playing with toys (60%) and, more often than not, featuring snacks (56%).