The basic skills Australian children are struggling with

A growing number of children are lacking basic skills including empathy, the ability to make friends and how to cope with change or disappointment.

Research from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute found overscheduling, helicopter parenting and social media are contributing to the problems.

Paediatrician and senior researcher at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Professor Harriet Hiscock, says COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation.

“We spoke to over 143 GPS, paediatricians, psychologist and child psychologists about this,” she told Ross and Russel.

“We did our work pre-COVID, but COVID has really brought a lot to the fore.”

Professor Hiscock says modelling good behaviour for children is one of the best things parents can do to help their kids develop skills like empathy.

“If we’re mouthing off at someone, or being frustrated or angry in the car in a traffic jam, we’re not modelling empathy,” she said.

“We’ve got to pause for a second, think about what we’re saying, and think ‘How do I want my kids to grow up and what do I want them to be like?’

“There’s a lot we can do via what we say and how we act.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the concerning findings + what parents can do about them