Every parent wants their child to grow up to be a good person, full of kindness, integrity, confidence and compassion, so it would make sense to begin nurturing these skills as soon as children are old enough to “get it,” right? But what age is that, exactly?

We asked hundreds of parents across the country to tell us the age they felt a child should start learning social-emotional skills. What we found might surprise you. (Hint: It’s earlier than they think.)

We have compiled some of the key findings below, but this is just scraping the surface. Click here to learn more about the survey and why a focus on developing good character is so important for young children and the people they become.

Looking to “start your child’s story the right way” by instilling positive traits? Check out our tips and resources.