A New Survey Shows More Parents Are Choosing to Guide Their Kids Education Themselves

A New Survey Shows More Parents Are Choosing to Guide Their Kids Education Themselves

Back to school is about to be in session for much of the country, and with it comes a fresh wave of supply shopping, schedule changes, and, for many parents, reflection on what their children are actually learning. Whether their kids are homeschooled, attend public school, or go to private school, a growing number of parents feel a need to step in and supplement their child’s education.

A new survey from Tuttle Twins of 1,000 parents says that only 10% of parents feel very confident their child’s school is preparing them for the real world, while the majority feel less than certain. For many families, that uncertainty is enough to spark action. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to add to your child’s learning at home with engaging resources.

Top Concerns Parents Have About School Preparedness

Parents’ biggest concerns about their child’s preparedness for the real world include a lack of real-world financial skills (36%), the inability to think critically (21%), and exposure to ideological bias (11%). Fifty-eight percent of parents feel the government has too much control over what their kids are learning.

The vast majority of parents don’t think their kids’ schools are teaching critical thinking very well, with only 7% saying they believe their child is learning critical thinking skills extremely well.

In line with these statistics, the topics parents most want schools to teach include financial literacy (59%), critical thinking and logic (56%), emotional intelligence and conflict resolution (48%), and mental health and wellbeing (48%). Other topics parents want to see more of in school include time management and goal setting, communication, career and job readiness, and ethics and character development.

Topics of Conversation

A great way to supplement what your kids are learning is to have conversations about these important topics at home, and that’s exactly what many other parents are doing. Unsurprisingly, budgeting and money management is at the top of the list of the most important life skills parents want to learn. As a result, 83% of parents talk to their kids about money and budgeting.

Seventy-one percent discuss current events and news, while 65% talk about online misinformation. More than half speak to their kids about technology and artificial intelligence, while almost half discuss the role of government.

Encouraging Entrepreneurial Spirit in Children

Entrepreneurship is another area where many parents see an opportunity to prepare kids for the future. While every business owner is different, successful entrepreneurs often share traits like problem solving, independent thinking, creativity, curiosity, and smart risk-taking. Encouraging these skills early can give kids the foundation they need to one day become successful business owners.

One great place to start is with kids’ books about entrepreneurship. The Tuttle Twins series transforms lessons about running a business into exciting adventures kids love. The series not only teaches financial literacy and the basics of the free market, but also helps children think critically, identify problems, and create solutions. For homeschool families and those wishing to supplement public or private schools, the Tuttle Twins curriculum offers engaging textbooks that make learning fun while still delivering valuable lessons about real-world business concepts.

You can also nurture entrepreneurial traits by encouraging your child’s interests rather than pushing specific business ideas. Whether it’s art, coding, game design, or building, supporting their passions will help them develop both skills and confidence. The earlier these traits are encouraged, the stronger their foundation for future success.

Books That Teach Critical Thinking and Other Skills

In addition to holding discussions with your kids about important topics, you can also use resources like books that teach critical thinking, financial literacy, and other skills. In fact, more than half of parents are supplementing what their kids learn at school using outside resources, with 67% using books or curriculum programs.

Building Momentum for the Months Ahead

the new school year begins, parents have an opportunity to approach learning with a positive mindset and a toolkit of fun, interesting, and engaging resources to support their children’s growth. According to the survey, supplementing education at home is a growing trend, and it’s inspiring to see families taking an active role in their kids’ learning journeys. With so many creative ways to build skills and spark curiosity, it will be exciting to see what students accomplish in the year ahead.