NEWTON, Mass., August 07, 2025 — In today’s AI-driven world, parents are rethinking the role early education plays in preparing their children not only for kindergarten, but for lifelong success. New research from the Modern Family Index (MFI), commissioned by Bright Horizons (NYSE:BFAM) and conducted by The Harris Poll, reveals that 73% of parents feel the rise of AI has made durable skills, such as creativity, social skills and emotional skills, just as important as traditional academic skills like reading, writing and math when it comes to their children’s development. This aligns with national conversations around early education. As U.S. News & World Report noted, experts are increasingly advocating for play-based, holistic preschool experiences that emphasize social and emotional development alongside academics.
These findings illustrate emerging shifts in what parents consider important in early education, emphasizing not only the value of academic preparation, but of skills that will help children be successful throughout their lives. In fact, the survey found that 82% of parents agree children entering kindergarten with confidence is just as important as being able to say the alphabet.
Additional Results Identified:
73% of parents feel that AI will have a significant impact on the skills that are important for children to develop early in life.
79% of parents feel that developing creative skills will be crucial for children growing up in an AI-driven world.
71% of parents with children under age 6 worry about properly preparing their child(ren) for kindergarten, with the majority (83%) recognizing the need for their child to develop holistic skills (both traditional academic skills and soft / durable skills) to be prepared for kindergarten.
80% of parents with children under age 6 expect their child’s preschool to teach them the skills they need for kindergarten, while an equal number (80%) wish they had the resources and support to better understand how to prepare their child(ren) for kindergarten.
Most parents deem durable skills like socially responsible behavior (75%), social skills (74%), self-help skills (73%), creative skills (72%) and emotional skills (69%) as absolutely essential or very important for children to develop to prepare for kindergarten, similar to that of traditional academic skills like reading (73%), math (70%) and writing (69%).
“Parents today are navigating a rapidly changing world and want to do everything they can to set their children up for success,” said Rachel Robertson, Chief Academic Officer at Bright Horizons. “This research makes it clear that parents are looking to preschools not just for academics, but for support in building a variety of both social and emotional skills. High quality early education that fosters curiosity, builds confidence, and nurtures the whole child is what truly lays the foundation for kindergarten and beyond.”