Will today's children achieve their biggest dreams? Many parents are uncertain. According to a survey of 2,000 parents, 64% worry that their child is not living up to their potential. Concerns go beyond just academic success; parents are also worried about their children's safety, emotional well-being, social skills, and behavior.
In fact, 42% of parents report feeling more stressed than ever about their child's academic progress. But it's not just school performance that causes anxiety—factors like safety (37%), emotional health (37%), social interactions (28%), and behavior (23%) also contribute to parental concerns. Together, these elements shape how well children perform both in school and in life.
According to the survey, a striking 85% of parents notice something about their child that worries them at least once a month, and for 20%, it's a daily occurrence. Parents with younger children, particularly in elementary school, report concerns every day at a rate of 28%. When noticing problems, many parents (45%) talk to their children about the issue, while others consult teachers (20%) or attempt to resolve things on their own (10%).
Common triggers for concern include declining grades (28%), unusual behaviors or habits (28%), strange comments (22%), or teacher feedback (20%). As a result, two-thirds of parents express anxiety about their child's development and growth.
Parents are dedicated to their children's success, with 92% willing to go to "any lengths necessary" to ensure their academic achievement. Yet, many worry about how their child is perceived by others. Over half (52%) are concerned about their child's peers' opinions, and 72% of those parents admit that these concerns can impact their willingness to have their child evaluated for a learning disability. However, this concern decreases as children grow older, affecting 79% of parents with preschoolers and kindergarteners, compared to 75% of middle school parents and 69% of high school parents.
Despite this, the majority of parents (91%) feel confident about advocating for their child's needs and finding appropriate services. Additionally, 88% of parents have no hesitation in seeking external help if necessary.
"It's interesting that 79% of parents know the right questions to ask when told to 'watch and wait' by teachers or counselors. However, 21% still feel uncertain when faced with this phrase," says Bonnie Contreras, a nationally certified school psychologist and Senior Director of Clinical Solutions at Presence.
The pandemic further complicated children's education. Half of the parents surveyed believe their child was academically set back due to COVID-19, with 50% citing reduced education quality, 41% mentioning learning loss, and 40% pointing to delayed social and emotional development. Even four years later, 53% feel their child is still behind, and 91% worry they will remain behind for the rest of their schooling.
Parents also report behavioral changes such as increased difficulty with schoolwork (38%), academic interest (37%), and irritability (35%). Sleep pattern shifts (35%) have also been observed.
Although the long-term impact is evident, there is hope. Over 72% of parents believe learning gaps can be closed. These challenges call for schools and communities to come together and support students in overcoming these setbacks to ensure a brighter academic future.