BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- A recent survey showed that most Chinese parents believe the most important thing for their children's development is cultivating virtues at a young age, China Youth Daily reported.

Close to 73 percent of the 1,992 parents surveyed said virtues including courtesy, consideration, diligence and honesty should be cultivated in children from early childhood.

Expert Yang Xiong from the Chinese Society of Education said family is the starting point for an individual's growth and therefore education at home lays the foundation for all other education.

"Parents should pay attention to their children's education in daily life and help them develop good habits," the newspaper quoted Yang as saying.

The survey also found that 54.1 percent of the respondents think knowledge is the most important factor for their children's development, 47.7 percent prioritize fitness and 28.6 percent highlight survival skills.

The majority of the parents surveyed live in urban areas, according to the newspaper. Enditem