How the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced communication and language development in preschool-aged children
Imler, Addison ; Copeland, Karen
Citations
Abstract
The purpose of this research project is to gain insights into how the unprecedented disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic have influenced the communication and language development of preschool-aged children. The COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis, led to significant changes in our daily lives. With lockdowns, remote learning, limited social interactions, and a general shift in our routines, children, especially those in their formative preschool years, experienced a radically different environment. Such shifts impact various facets of their development, notably their communication and language skills. The language learning lab at Oklahoma State University had completed a previous study which noted differences in children’s communication and language development due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the effort to complete more research on the topic. Through this survey, we wish to learn more about the perceptions and observations of parents and professionals about children's communication patterns during and around the time of the pandemic. By collecting and analyzing this data, we hope to understand: The nature and extent of any observed changes in a child's communication behavior, the potential challenges and benefits the pandemic might have brought about in the realm of language acquisition and communication for preschool-aged children, and how parents and professionals navigated and supported the child's communication needs during this period.