According to a recent study, 72% of parents are worried about their child being socially and emotionally ready for school.

Key Points

• Studies show that building habits around music is key to helping children transition to school, and beyond.
• Music-based play is one of the few activities that uses both the logical and creative sides of the brain.
• Caterina Mete, The Red Wiggle, says it’s an honour to be able to work with children in this capacity.

 More than 2 in 5 parents (45%) report their child struggled with the transition to school, while 61% believe more resources would help ease their concerns.

Director of Operations at Young Academics Jenni Gaffney believes that building habits around music is key to helping children transition to school, and beyond.

“Musically inspired habits are particularly important in helping unlock creativity and communication in children – those too with additional learning needs,” she said, in reference to a new partnership with The Wiggles.

“This research has really affirmed that Australian parents are seeking more ways to build confidence in their children and better support these transitions to new (or between) educational environments.

Studies show that building habits around music is key to helping children transition to school, and beyond.

“We’re always looking at meaningful ways in which we can continually help bridge this gap.”

When Australian parents were asked about their greatest concerns for a child moving between early education levels or onto big school, 60% specifically mentioned making new friends, 59% talked about their child’s ability to manage emotions, and 46% said the idea of learning a new routine.

Music-based play – one of the few activities that uses both the logical and creative sides of the brain – can help soothe and resolve these three very common struggles.

Early childhood educators play a critical role in easing both parents’ and children’s minds as they transition from preschool to primary school.

Young Academics is setting a strong example with the recent enhancement of their daily curriculum through an exclusive three-year partnership with The Wiggles.

Music, known to foster friendships and encourage key skills like turn-taking and sharing during group play, can have a significant impact.

Music-based play is one of the few activities that uses both the logical and creative sides of the brain.

Incorporating musical stimulation at such a young age strengthens the brain’s ability to process sounds, improve listening skills, enhance attention, boost memory, and build neural pathways to help retain new information.

Caterina Mete, The Red Wiggle, says it’s an honour to be able to work with children in this capacity.

“For 20 years I’ve been working with and performing for children,” she said.

“In this time, you quickly learn what inspires young minds to want to engage and participate, and overall, what they’re going to enjoy singing or dancing along to.

Caterina Mete, The Red Wiggle, says it’s an honour to be able to work with children in this capacity.

“And I think having such an enlightening role in so many young lives is what encouraged me to step into this next character of mine…a mum to two beautiful twin girls who wiggled their way into the world in June this year!”

Parents watching their children move through early education and onto Big School often have a lot of unanswered questions and concerns.

Perhaps this is one (dance)step in the right direction.

All photos supplied by Young Academics and used with permission.