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A new study published in JAMA Pediatrics reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the developmental progress of kindergarten students, particularly in crucial areas like language and cognitive skills.
Researchers, led by Judith Perrigo from the UCLA School of Public Affairs, analyzed developmental scores of over 475,000 U.S. kindergarteners, comparing pre-pandemic data from 2018-2020 with post-pandemic data from 2021-2023. The findings indicate a notable decline in average scores for language and thinking skills, social competence, and communication and general knowledge among post-pandemic kindergarteners.
“The domains of language and cognitive development and communication and general knowledge were most severely affected, the likely result of school closures and virtual learning environments necessitated by COVID-19 public health measures,” Perrigo and her team stated. They also attributed the decrease in social competence to limited social interaction with peers and adults outside of caregivers during lockdowns.
However, the study also revealed a surprising positive aspect: an increase in emotional maturity and resilience among kindergarteners during the pandemic. Researchers suggest that increased exposure to adult stressors, such as news coverage of COVID-19 casualty counts and financial strain, may have contributed to this growth.
Despite these findings, the study also highlights that many of the negative developmental trends were present before the pandemic. In some areas, such as communication and general knowledge, the rate of decline actually slowed during the pandemic. Additionally, no significant changes were observed in children’s physical health or well-being.
“Although we hypothesized that the pandemic would decrease across all … domains, our results suggested a more complex picture,” the researchers wrote. “In a sample of approximately half a million children from 19 states across 14 years, the direction and rate of kindergartners’ developmental trends varied across domains.”
The researchers emphasized the need for early childhood policies to address both pre-existing challenges and the additional stressors introduced by the pandemic.
“These results underscore the need for early childhood policies that address these preexisting challenges and the additional stressors introduced by the pandemic,” they concluded.
For further information on the effects of the pandemic on children, the Children’s Hospital Association provides additional resources.
Study Details:
- Perrigo JL, et al. COVID-19 Pandemic and the Developmental Health of Kindergarteners. JAMA Pediatrics (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.7057
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the provided study information. Scientific studies are subject to ongoing research and peer review. The results presented here should be interpreted within the context of the study’s limitations and may not be universally applicable. Individual experiences may vary. Always consult with qualified professionals for personalized advice.
