As COVID babies go to school, educators look for pandemic's impact
Share this @internewscast.com

Babies born at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now making their way into preschool and kindergarten, leaving experts eager to observe the pandemic’s influence on these young learners.

There’s growing concern over potential cognitive and social delays, such as struggles with sharing or following directions, amid mixed research findings and educators’ observations about 4- and 5-year-olds.

While older students showed immediate adverse effects during the pandemic, the long-term impact on those born during this period remains uncertain. Experts emphasize the need for educators to stay watchful in the upcoming school year.

A recent study in the journal Infancy examined data from 330 infants born between October 2016 and August 2021, revealing minimal differences in negative effects pre- and post-pandemic. It indicated that higher negative impacts were more linked to factors like maternal stress.

Pandemic-related stress increased significantly for caregivers due to job losses and reduced social interactions, with varying effects based on family income levels.

“Children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds have actually shown developmental improvements,” noted Rahil Briggs, national director of Zero to Three’s HealthySteps program. “Caregivers might have been home more, providing more time, attention, support, shared family meals, and reading, which are crucial for development.”

Another study found that the lower the socioeconomic background, “the more that decrease in kindergarten readiness showed up,” she added. 

But other studies showed more differences between the youngest learners before and after COVID-19, including a higher risk for social, cognitive, communication, motor and social delays among those born during the height of the pandemic. 

A study released in 2024 that examined a cohort of 3.5- to 5.5-year-olds found after the pandemic this age group tested “significantly worse on several measures of false-belief understanding.”

“So for things to be affecting the kids now, it really has to be something that made a fundamental shift in their development those first couple of years and that can happen. We do know that the first three years of life are super important. What we haven’t had is something that hits us over the head yet beyond anecdotal,” said Koraly Pérez-Edgar, a professor of psychology at the Pennsylvania State University. 

Pérez-Edgar cited a New York Times story from July 2024 that indicated “the kids going into kindergarten last year were really messed up, or, like, really had a lot of trouble.” But she said such behavior hasn’t been borne out in studies yet. 

“It’s not showing up in the data quite as strongly or quite as forcefully as some of the anecdotal reports say,” adding the concerns experts are worried about likely won’t emerge or be discovered until they are in school. 

Older kids had immediate effects that were easy to see when the pandemic closed schools in 2020 and created restrictions in classrooms in 2021.  

Behavioral problems in classrooms, chronic absenteeism and anxiety went up, while academic performance went down in older students, with some of those effects still lingering today. 

But infants had time to live in a world without masks and restrictions for years before heading to kindergarten.

“So, the pandemic was 2020, five years ago, and things really the last three years, they would have had the opportunity to have a pretty normal socialization for most kids,” said Eileen Kennedy-Moore, a psychologist and podcast host of “Kids Ask Dr. Friendtastic.” “So, I don’t think we have to assume that because of COVID these kids are warped. I think we deal with the child in front of us.” 

Experts and advocates caution vigilance and advise planning for a situation where these children begin to struggle in school, such as smaller class sizes and collaboration with families.  

“We think a lower group size or maybe additional adult support in the classroom, like a teacher’s aide, could be helpful for kindergarten programs. I do think significant family engagement is going to be really helpful to support these young children and families,” said Ginger Sandweg, senior director early learning at First Things First.

But experts also note it is important to recognize children are able to bounce back from adversity well, even if some struggles occurred after the pandemic with socialization.

“I think if schools are aware of these particular areas, they can do more programming in terms of teaching kids like asserting yourself and talking, having conversations,” said Mary Alvord, psychologist and founder of Alvord, Baker & Associates.

“But my area is resilience, and I just feel like we also need to acknowledge the resilience of most kids,” she added.  

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
At America's national parks in the Trump era, the arc of history bends toward revisionism

How America’s National Parks Are Being Redefined in the Trump Era

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. (AP) — At the turbulent meeting point of rivers,…
Israel’s army will 'advance readiness' for first phase of Trump plan to release hostages

Israel Military to “Boost Preparedness” for Initial Stage of Trump’s Hostage Release Plan

Israel’s military announced Saturday it will “advance readiness for the implementation of…
Kavanaugh’s attempted assassin sentenced to 8 years in prison

Man Who Attempted to Attack Justice Kavanaugh Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison

A federal judge in Greenbelt, Md., sentenced the individual who attempted to…
Japan's ruling party elects Sanae Takaichi as new leader, likely to become first female prime minister

Sanae Takaichi elected leader by Japan’s ruling party, set to become first female prime minister

TOKYO — Japan’s governing party on Saturday elected former Economic Security Minister…

Tragic Shooting Near Houston Suburb Results in Death of Two Children, Two More Critically Injured

ANGLETON, Texas (AP) — In a heartbreaking incident early Saturday near Angleton,…
Pope Leo XIV lends star power to Swiss Guards swearing-in ceremony as his army struggles to find recruits

Pope Leo XIV Boosts Swiss Guards’ Enrollment Ceremony Amid Recruitment Challenges

Pope Leo XIV officiated on Saturday at the induction ceremony of 27…
Iryna Zarutska: 911 calls released in deadly Charlotte light rail stabbing

Iryna Zarutska: 911 Recordings Made Public Following Fatal Stabbing on Charlotte Light Rail

Newly released 911 calls detail the chaotic moments after Ukrainian refugee Iryna…
'Terrified, traumatized': 12-year-old boy arrested while riding his bicycle

‘Frightened and Shaken’: 12-Year-Old Boy Detained While Cycling

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WJZY) – A North Carolina mother says her 12-year-old son…
UK warns Palestinian protest group to stand down after synagogue attack: 'Respect the grief of British Jews'

UK Tells Palestinian Protest Group to Pause After Synagogue Attack: ‘Honor the Mourning of British Jews’

The United Kingdom’s government and police urged organizers of a planned anti-Israel…
Trump announces Israel agrees to Gaza 'initial withdrawal line' as '3,000 year catastrophe' nears end

Trump Reports Israel’s Agreement to Establish “Initial Withdrawal Line” in Gaza as “3,000-Year Conflict” Approaches Resolution

President Donald Trump on Saturday announced Israel has agreed to the “initial…
Mike Waltz sees Trump's Gaza plan as 'once-in-a-generation opportunity for peace'

Mike Waltz views Trump’s Gaza proposal as a ‘unique opportunity for peace in a generation’

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz stated that President Donald…
Daughter of notorious killer Dan Lafferty chooses forgiveness over hatred after decades of shame

Daughter of infamous murderer Dan Lafferty opts for forgiveness after years of disgrace

Rebecca Lafferty forgave her father, convicted killer Dan Lafferty — not to…