Understanding the Lingering Impact of COVID-19 on Child Language and Social Skills
Understanding the Lasting Impact of COVID-19 on Speech, Social Skills, and Healthy Relationships
Children born between 2019 and 2021—often called COVID babies — entered the world during a time of lockdowns, social distancing, and unprecedented public health responses to COVID-19. As these children now attend primary school, families and educators are paying attention to how early pandemic life has shaped their communication, social behavior, and ability to form healthy relationships.
In this post we explore what science tells us: how early social isolation and pandemic-related changes influenced language development, social interaction, and the ways children today connect with peers. We’ll also explain what parents and schools—including the best schools in Saudi Arabia — can do to support strong communication skills and thriving communities of learners.
From a decrease in the number of people they interacted with, to less frequent exposure to full-face expressions — seeing faces not covered in masks - the impacts of Covid-19 on the ability to communicate and understand people impacted many children. However, while the difference is noteworthy, many children have still developed strong skills, especially with specific interventions.
What Does Research Say About COVID’s Impact on Early Communication?
Young children learn language and social skills through interaction—with parents, caregivers, and other children. During the height of the pandemic, many children experienced reduced opportunities for in-person play, school, and community engagement. Multiple scientific studies show that these changes were associated with measurable effects on early communication development:
- Reduced Social Interaction Can Affect Communication Milestones
A birth cohort study found that babies born during the pandemic showed differences in early social communication compared with children born before it. In assessments of developmental milestones at 12 months, pandemic-born children had lower rates of “meaningful words,” pointing, and interactive gestures—behaviors key to early communication.
- Extended Exposure to COVID Disruptions Was Linked to Delays
Research measuring language development before, during, and after pandemic periods showed that
longer pandemic exposure correlated with lower receptive (understanding) and expressive (speaking) language scores in preschool-aged children. Some countries had longer and stricter lock-downs, which has been shown to impact these
young learners.
- Language Development Across Early Childhood Was Impacted
Large reviews of research on early childhood language environments show that
the pandemic significantly altered children’s language learning opportunities, including exposure to social communication, vocabulary, and school-readiness communication skills. Lack of exposure to their peers at a young age, and a school-like setting at that young age impacted even the
best schools in Jeddah.
- Social Cognition & Interaction May Also Be Affected
Some scientific evidence suggests that social cognition—the ability to understand others’ thoughts, feelings, and intentions—could be affected in children who lived through early pandemic social isolation. In studies comparing children before and after lockdowns, post-COVID groups showed challenges in social-thinking tasks important for peer relationships.
Taken together, this research highlights that, for many children,
COVID-19-related changes in everyday life influenced early communication experiences. However, it’s important to note that these effects vary widely from child to child, and many children continue to develop strong skills with support.
Why Communication and Social Connection Matter in Primary School
Language and social skills are foundational for success in school and life. Children who can express themselves, understand others, and build friendships are better able to:
- Participate fully in classroom learning.
- Form healthy, supportive relationships.
- Navigate conflict and cooperate with peers.
- Feel confident in diverse communities.
For parents raising children today, including those considering the
best school in Jeddah, understanding how early experience shapes communication helps parents make informed choices about learning environments and support strategies.
How Primary Schools Help Children Communicate and Connect
Quality primary schools play a crucial role in strengthening children’s communication and social skills. Many schools—especially those recognized as leaders in education—implement intentional strategies that are supported by child development research.
What Parents Can Do: Supporting Communication at Home
While schools are important, parents also have a powerful role in nurturing communication and social connection. Here are some evidence-based practices families can use:
These practices complement what children experience at school, and reinforce their ability to communicate confidently and form deep connections.
Community Involvement Matters
Children develop not just in classrooms and homes but also through engagement with broader communities of caregivers, friends, and cultural experiences. Encouraging participation in local events, playgroups, cultural clubs, and sports helps children build diverse connections and strengthens their social networks.
These community experiences are especially valuable for children whose earliest years were shaped by pandemic-related isolation.
Addressing Gaps & Encouraging Growth
It’s important to recognize that not every child will be affected in the same way. Some children born during the pandemic show typical communication development, while others may display temporary delays or differences in how they connect socially.
Rather than viewing
COVID baby status as a label or limitation, it’s more helpful to see it as part of a broader story: many children experienced less peer interaction in their first years, and now benefit from intentional support at school and home.
Looking Ahead: Recent Trends and Future Research
Ongoing research continues to explore how COVID and COVID-19 public health measures have shaped children’s communication and development. Scientists emphasize the importance of long-term follow-up studies to understand how early experience influences school readiness and academic success later in life.
While pandemic-era children may have faced disruptions, they are simultaneously resilient and adaptable. With strong support from families and high-quality schools—such as the
best school in Jeddah or leading British institutions—their potential to develop rich communication skills and strong peer connections remains high.
More resources to learn about this topic are available below.
- Social communication skill attainment in babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic: a birth cohort study - PubMed
- Annual Research Review: How did COVID-19 affect young children's language environment and language development? A scoping review - PubMed
- Association Between COVID-19 Exposure Duration on Receptive and Expressive Language Development in Preschool Children
- The COVID-19 pandemic and social cognitive outcomes in early childhood | Scientific Reports
