Aspiring youngsters
British children show aspiration as young as 5, new survey
reveals
British children start showing aspiration by the age of 5,
according to new statistics released today as part of National
Childminding Week.
More than one in four parents (26 per cent) say their children
showed signs of what they wanted to be when they grow up by the age
of 5, with around half of parents saying they did so by the age of
9 (1).
Invest in the early years to improve life chances
Research shows that most children’s life chances are set out by
time they reach the age of 5 (2), and the new NCMA
findings aim to help registered childminders and nannies to boost
children’s aspirations in home-based childcare settings.
NCMA is also calling for the Government to invest the same
proportion of its funding in the early years as it does for primary
and secondary education.
Susanna Dawson, NCMA Chair and a registered childminder, said:
"These findings show that children are already making plans for
their future at a very young age, and supporting early years
professionals to help children explore these could have an
important impact on where they end up in life.
"A strong early years education means children are more likely
to perform better at later levels of their education. It’s vital
that the Government harnesses the potential of the early years by
ensuring this crucial stage gets its fair slice of the budget."
The NCMA survey also reveals that:
- children’s role models are closest to home, with parents most
likely to rank themselves as their child’s role model (38 per
cent), followed by teachers (20 per cent) and sportspeople (17 per
cent)
- parents continue to be an important role model throughout
childhood, compared to other role models that tend to vary
according to a child’s age. Younger children draw on cartoon and
story book characters, whereas older children were more likely to
admire sportspeople.
Professor
Tanya Byron, psychologist, author and star of House of Tiny
Tearaways and Child of Our Time (pictured right) is supporting
National Childminding Week. She said:
"It is essential that early years professionals build a strong
relationship with parents, so that children’s hopes and dreams can
be reinforced in their home environment.
"Kids have a strong sense of identity early on in life, and if
we wait until they are teenagers to start nurturing their ambitions
and career prospects then it might be too late."
NCMA has developed a range of materials for childminders and
nannies to help them to explore their goals, role models and career
ambitions and share these at home. Members can download
these free of charge from My NCMA, the secure members area.
Childminders throughout the country will also be holding
local events to help children take part in
future-building activities, including role play.
1. NCMA's survey, conducted by TNS Omnibus, questioned over
1,000 parents in Great Britain about their aspirations for their
children’s future.
2. Frank Field’s review “The
Foundation Years, Preventing Poor Children from Becoming Poor
Adults, April 2011.