Are Pandemic Babies More Prone to Failing in School?

As the new academic year begins, many are preparing for the school year ahead. While it might not be at the forefront of your mind anymore, the effects of the pandemic are still unfolding. The pandemic undoubtedly reshaped lives, bringing about many unique challenges and adjustments—everyone did the best they could during unprecedented times. Parents, teachers, and children navigated a world of virtual learning, limited social interactions, and increased screen time. Now, as it shifts towards post-pandemic life, it’s essential to understand how these experiences have impacted people, including young children.

A recent article from the New York Times, “The Youngest Pandemic Children Are Now in School, and Struggling,” dives into the hurdles faced by children who spent their early years during lockdowns and social restrictions. The article highlights several key factors that have likely influenced early childhood development and offers insights on how to support children.

Here are a few key takeaways and considerations from the NYT article.

Several factors likely affected pandemic-era children, including parental stress, less exposure to people via socialization, lower preschool attendance, and increased screen time with less time playing with peers. This makes sense, as these factors can impact child development. It’s important to note that not every child will be affected in the same way, as children learn, develop, and adapt at their own individual pace. 

During the pandemic, many parents experienced increased stress levels due to health concerns, working from home, and financial uncertainty. This heightened stress can influence children’s emotional and psychological well-being.

With social distancing measures in place, young children had fewer opportunities to interact with a diverse range of people. This limited their exposure to different social cues and language experiences.

Many children missed out on structured learning experiences provided by preschool, which can create gaps in skills, such as following routines, sharing, and participating in group activities. If children weren’t in preschool and skills weren’t practiced at home, they could have missed out on fine motor practice like using scissors, learning to write, etc. These skills are helpful for smoothly transitioning into kindergarten. But again, this is more for those who didn’t receive any of these opportunities at home. 

There were also fewer opportunities to identify and monitor children who would benefit from additional help. This was noticeable in practice, too, with many patients missing well visits with their pediatrician for various reasons–office closures, fears, and scheduling issues. These are missed opportunities to screen for milestones and seek early intervention services.

The need for caregivers to juggle work and childcare during lockdowns led to an increase in time spent indoors and screen time. Many families turned to screen time as a practical solution during the pandemic. However, while screen time itself isn’t inherently negative, it may have been replaced with playtime with peers or practicing under kindergarten-readiness skills. The lockdowns and social distancing meant that children spent less time playing with their peers. Playtime with other children is crucial for developing social, emotional, and cognitive skills, especially at a young age.

The biggest takeaway from this article?

The article brings forward valuable information and raises awareness about the challenges some children might face after the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes understanding that while we may observe developmental delays in some children, these challenges are not universal. The pandemic’s impact on early childhood development has created gaps in readiness and skills among children entering school. However, recognizing these delays is not cause for alarm but rather an opportunity for targeted intervention and support. This awareness empowers caregivers and teachers to address specific needs and foster development so each child can reach their full potential.

With this information, the focus then shifts to how to help these children. Despite these challenges, with the right resources and support, many children are capable of catching up and thriving. In the article, Dr. Dani Dumitriu, a pediatrician and neuroscientist, stated, “It is absolutely possible to catch up if we catch things early. There is nothing deterministic about the brain at six months.” This highlights the importance of early intervention and support if needed.

The most important thing for caregivers to remember is that if you have any concerns about your child’s developmental milestones or academic progress, it is crucial to reach out to your child’s clinician. Collaborate with your child’s school to monitor any signs of academic challenges, such as difficulties with writing, reading, or other foundational skills. Early intervention is key, which has always been important, both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic. Addressing these issues sooner rather than later can make a difference in your child’s development.  It is not something to fear or be ashamed of, but rather a proactive step towards helping your child be the best they can be!

Remember, a young child’s brain is extremely moldable, and they can learn with resources and consistency.

Looking for more resources?

If you have a younger child, download the PedsDocTalk toddler milestones to monitor guide. This includes all the developmental milestones to watch for between 1 and 4 years and when it’s time to talk about a concern with your child’s clinician.

If you have a child nearing kindergarten, listen to this PedsDocTalk podcast episode about kindergarten readiness. The episode is with Susie Allison from Busy Toddler and covers why kindergarten readiness has become stressful, why these standards have changed, and what to focus on before kindergarten.

On The Podcast

#PhilipsPartner Sharing the responsibilities during the fourth trimester is crucial, especially when balancing motherhood and a career. Prioritizing self-care while leaning on baby’s care team helps you find joy in everyday moments.

In this episode, I chat with Robin Arzón, a Peloton instructor and mother of two, to discuss:

• The importance of maintaining physical and emotional well-being through movement, breath work, and self-care practices

• The critical role of a support network in balancing the demands of motherhood with her career

• How using Philips Avent bottles allowed Robin the flexibility to switch between breastfeeding and bottle feeding

• And so much more!

Ask Dr. Mona

An opportunity for YOU to ask Dr. Mona your parenting questions!

Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!