# The Impact of COVID-19 on the Language Skills of Preschool Children: Data from a School Screening Project for Language Disorders in Greece

## TL;DR

The study found that preschool children in Greece showed more language delays after the pandemic compared to before or during it, with girls being more affected.

## Contribution

The study is the first to examine longitudinal changes in preschoolers' language skills in Greece before, during, and after the pandemic.

## Key findings

- Post-pandemic preschoolers showed higher rates of atypical language profiles compared to those before or during the pandemic.
- Girls exhibited a higher prevalence of atypical language profiles than boys.
- Expressive language abilities improved during the pandemic compared to pre- and post-pandemic periods.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected children’s lives, particularly preschool-aged children who undergo rapid biological and psychosocial development. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the language skills of preschool children in Greece. Methods: To that end, a widely used screening tool was applied in a screening project involving 213 preschoolers. Language skills were assessed in three groups of children aged 2–4 years old before, during and after the pandemic. Results: A significant increase in the number of children with atypical language skills profile was identified in relation to the preschoolers after the pandemic versus those before or during the pandemic period. A higher prevalence of atypical profiles was observed in girls than in boys. Interestingly, an increase in the number of successfully produced or repeated words and pseudowords, along with enhanced expressive abilities, was observed during the pandemic compared to the periods before and after. Conclusions:Our findings suggest that post-pandemic preschool children exhibit higher rates of atypical language skill profiles compared to those assessed before and during the pan-demic. Given the importance of language development as a critical aspect of children’s overall personality and well-being, further research is needed to explore the impact of specific pandemic-related factors on language competency. These factors include mask-wearing, increased screen time, reduced social interaction and exposure to language-rich environments, as well as impaired mental health and parental distress. Additionally, personalized interventions should be developed to support healthier developmental outcomes.