Listening to mindsets: critical mindsets of children in Australia

A new report from the FrameWorks Institute (funded by Minderoo Foundation) sharing interim findings from the Early Years Mindset project is now available.

Undertaken by the FrameWorks Institute, in partnership with Curijo and Minderoo Foundation, the Early Years Mindset project aims to better understand how Australians think about the early years and develop framing and narrative strategies that can shift these mindsets to increase support for policies that more robustly meet the needs of children and families across Australia.

The interim findings report, accompanied by an executive summary, focuses on findings from qualitative focus groups conducted in 2025 with both non-Aboriginal and non-Torres Strait Islander people, including CALD groups, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The report provides insights on challenges, opportunities, and initial recommendations for sector leaders to shift public thinking and build support for lasting reforms that improve outcomes for children and families across Australia.

FrameWorks is using the qualitative findings described in this interim report to inform the design of a quantitative survey. This survey will measure the strength and distribution of mindsets across the Australian population over the next three years and identify connections among mindsets and how they affect support for policy solutions.

Visit the FrameWorks website to learn more about the project and to download the interim report Listening to Mindsets: Cultural Mindsets of Early Childhood in Australia.

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