Lockdown Toddlers Face Language and Social Skill Deficits
A study by the University of Utrecht reveals that toddlers who were two to three years old during the coronavirus lockdown have a significantly smaller vocabulary compared to their pre-2020 peers. Researcher Anika van der Klis attributes this to limited social interactions during lockdown, as children typically learn language from diverse interactions with parents, grandparents, peers, and through outings to places like playgrounds or swimming pools.
The study also highlights that lockdown slowed the development of social-emotional skills in babies, which are crucial for making friends, teamwork, and conflict resolution later in life. Stressful conditions faced by expectant mothers during lockdown may have also played a role in these delays.
Researchers warn that these developmental delays could have long-term effects on children’s mental health and school performance. To address these challenges, they recommend providing extra language and reading support for affected children. Reducing screen time is also emphasized, as playing with peers is far more effective for developing both language and social-emotional skills than watching TV.
Van der Klis underscores the importance of language in early childhood: “A young child needs words not only to make friends and learn social skills but also to understand what the teacher is saying.” Researchers call for targeted interventions to help this group recover from the lack of stimulation experienced during lockdown.