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Playdates are the best way to prepare young children for school, according to an expert.
Family psychologist Dr. Martha Deiros Collado says one of the most valuable things parents can do before September has nothing to do with reading or numbers — it’s arranging a playdate.
Kids between the ages of four and six who play with other children “regularly” learn to practice things like turn‑taking, empathy, patience, communication and problem‑solving in a “natural and meaningful way” — making them more “school‑ready.”
Dr. Martha, who has teamed up with BBC Studios to support Bluey’s annual theme Playdates with Friends, said, “Playdates are the most important thing a parent can arrange to help a child get ready for school.
“There is a wealth of science that shows children’s early play experiences with peers positively predict better social skills and peer acceptance in reception class or kindergarten.”
The advice follows a poll of 2,500 parents of three to seven-year-olds from the UK, USA and Australia, which found 81 percent have a playdate once a month or more.
A further 62 percent believe playdates help their child feel more confident around other children.
For 39 percent of those polled, the most important part of a playdate is simply seeing their child have fun.
Dr. Martha agrees; she believes the real value often lies beneath the surface.
Through play, kids are learning how to take turns, communicate, cope when things do not go their way, and build confidence with other children before they start school, according to the expert.
She said, “In the classroom, children need to share space, take turns and navigate bumps and conflicts with other children.
“Playdates give them the chance to begin building those skills before they start school — they’re like impromptu mini life‑skills workshops.”
But Dr. Martha is keen to remind parents that playdates don’t always need to be smooth and trouble‑free.
She added, “Importantly, playdates do not need to be perfect to be valuable.
“Small disagreements, little moments of frustration and working things out together are all part of how children learn.”
When asked what activities make for a successful playdate, free outdoor play in a yard or park came top, with 77 percent of those polled saying this was key.
Simple crafts and drawing came second (64 percent), with role‑play and imaginative games coming third (53 percent).
Dr. Martha said, “Free play can be incredibly valuable for children.
“It gives them the chance to imagine, negotiate, solve small problems and build confidence together — all in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.”
Carried out through OnePoll, the research commissioned by BBC Studios found that playdates can also help parents and carers build local support networks.
Almost four in 10 (39 percent) said playdates have helped them build new friendships with other adults, while 36 percent said they’ve had a positive impact on their social life.
But while playdates appear to have many benefits, they’re not always easy to arrange.
Challenges include not knowing other parents well (32 percent), clashing schedules (42 percent), feeling awkward about reaching out (21 percent), and worrying about hosting at home (18 percent).
But children aren’t burdened with such concerns — they just want to have great playdates which include spending time playing outside (60 percent), playing with toys (60 percent) and, very often, featuring snacks (56 percent).
