When COVID-19 turned life upside down in 2020, parents of babies and toddlers did their best to keep things as normal as possible. Between lockdowns, working from home, and managing all the uncertainty, families made remarkable efforts to keep going.
Now, several years later, many parents of 4- to 7-year-olds are noticing little gaps in their child’s speech, language, or social development. These aren’t just random quirks – research is telling us they’re often the result of the unique challenges children faced during those early years of the pandemic.
How the Pandemic Affected Early Development
COVID lockdowns changed the way many young children experienced the world. Playdates were cancelled, daycare attendance was sporadic, and for months at a time, families were isolated from the usual rhythms of social interaction.
For children learning to talk, listen, and play, these missing experiences may have left some gaps in their development. Here’s why:
- Fewer Opportunities to Interact: Babies and toddlers learn language and social skills by engaging with others. Without playgroups, family gatherings, or even trips to the supermarket, many children missed these valuable moments. A study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood (2021) found that babies born during the pandemic showed delays in communication and social skills compared to pre-pandemic cohorts. This was linked to reduced social interactions and opportunities for face-to-face engagement.
- Limited Exposure to New Words: Conversations outside the home – whether with grandparents, teachers, or friends – introduce children to new vocabulary. Research conducted by the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) highlighted that the time we all spent in COVID lockdowns meant that children had fewer opportunities for shared reading and reduced exposure to varied language environments. Studies are suggesting that this has contributed to delays in many children’s language development.
- Less Practice with Social Rules: Sharing, turn-taking, and making friends aren’t skills children are born with. They’re learned over time through play and interaction with peers. According to findings from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, disruptions in early childhood education settings during the pandemic resulted in a decline in social skill development for many young children.
- Interrupted Learning: For children who were just beginning preschool or Kindergarten during the pandemic, the abrupt move to at-home learning disrupted their ability to develop foundational skills. Early literacy and language skills, which are typically nurtured in structured group environments, were particularly impacted. A 2021 report by UNICEF Australia highlighted that these interruptions to early education programs had a disproportionate effect on children in their critical years of language development and social-emotional growth, as they missed out on the consistent interaction and engagement needed to build these skills effectively.
Signs to Look for in Your Child
If your child is now at primary school or preparing to start, you might notice some areas where they’re finding things harder than their peers. Here are some signs to keep an eye on:
- Speech Clarity: Does your child struggle to pronounce certain sounds, making their speech hard to understand?
- Language Skills: Are they using fewer words or struggling to put sentences together compared to other children their age?
- Social Skills: Do they find it difficult to join in with other kids or understand how to take turns in conversation?
- Listening and Following Instructions: Does your child seem to ‘tune out’ when given directions or struggle to follow simple two-step tasks?
- Emerging Literacy: Are they finding it hard to recognise letters, understand rhymes, or start blending sounds for reading?
Why Acting Now Matters
The great news is that the brain is wonderfully adaptable, especially in young children. Early action can help close any gaps in speech, language, or social development, giving your child the best chance to thrive in school and beyond.
Seeking professional advice from a speech pathologist doesn’t mean there’s anything “wrong” with your child. It simply means you’re giving them a little extra support to grow and develop. Speech pathologists work with families to help children build strong communication and literacy foundations in a warm and fun way.
What You Can Do Now
If you’re wondering whether your child could use some extra help, here are three simple steps to take:
- Observe: Spend time listening to how your child communicates with others. Are there certain situations where they seem to struggle more?
- Talk to Others: Chat with your child’s teacher, childcare provider, or other trusted adults in their life. They can often offer helpful insights about how your child is managing in group settings.
- Reach Out for Support: A speech pathologist can assess your child’s current skills and give you practical strategies to support their development. Early help makes a big difference, and it’s never too late to start.
A Loving Step Forward
Parenting through a pandemic was no small feat, and you did the best you could in an extraordinary time. If you’re now seeing areas where your child could use a little help, it’s not about “fixing” anything or making up for lost time – it’s about supporting your child in the way they need most right now.
By acting now, you’re setting them up for success, confidence, and connection in the years ahead. And that’s one of the most loving things you can do. If you’d like to chat with a member of our experienced team, we’re here to help. Find out more about how our speech pathologists can help your child here
References
- Byrne, S, Sledge, H, Franklin, R, Boland, F, Murray, DM & Hourihane, J 2022, ‘Social communication skill attainment in babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic: a birth cohort study’, Archives of Disease in Childhood, vol. 108, no. 1, p. archdischild-2021-323441.
- Australian Early Development Census 2021, Findings from the AEDC, www.aedc.gov.au.
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute: “The impact of COVID-19 on early childhood education and care in Australia.” mcri.edu.au.
- UNICEF Australia Call for National Plan as children tell of lockdown toll. (n.d.). UNICEF Australia. www.unicef.org.au/media-release/call-for-national-plan-as-children-tell-of-lockdown
