Supporting Your Child's Speech and Language Development Post-Pandemic

The other day, I was conducting a speech and language evaluation (via Zoom) for an adorable 4-year-old girl named Emma*. As I worked through the assessment activities, I couldn't help but notice she was quieter and shyer than most kids her age. Her responses were minimal, her vocabulary felt limited for her age, and she seemed to struggle with expressing herself clearly.

When I discussed the evaluation with Emma's mom, she shared that they had spent most of 2020 and 2021 at home, isolated from friends and family due to the pandemic.?

There were no playdates, no preschool, no trips to the library or park. Emma's main language exposure and interactions were with her core family members.

Emma's mom was concerned that this period of limited socialization and language stimulation may have hindered her daughter's speech and language development. And unfortunately, Emma is far from alone.

As speech-language pathologists at Better Speech, we've seen case after case like this. A recent article in The ASHA Leader revealed a staggering increase in communication delays among toddlers and preschoolers in the years following COVID-19. Factors like family stress, lack of socialization, disrupted childcare and healthcare services – they all likely played a role.

While the long-term effects are still being researched, one thing is clear: Many young kids need extra support building crucial language skills during this pivotal stage.

That's why our team created a YouTube video sharing three simple but powerful strategies caregivers can use at home to foster their child's speech and language growth:

• Create a language-rich environment by narrating daily activities, reading aloud, singing songs, and having back-and-forth conversations. It's amazing how much kids can absorb!

• Prioritize face-to-face interactions. Limit screen time, make eye contact when communicating and playing. Those little connections make a big difference.

• Seek out social activities like story times, play groups, and community events. These provide awesome opportunities for kids to practice communication skills.

Implementing these tips can help fill any pandemic-related gaps in language exposure and stimulation. As speech therapists, we can't emphasize enough: Early intervention is crucial. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns.

You can find our full video and more tips at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91E5HnNrBX4. Please share this important information with any parents or caregivers in your network who could benefit. We're all in this together, supporting our kids' amazing language-learning potential!

This generation deserves a strong communication foundation for future academic, social and life success. Let's make it a priority to nurture their skills from the start.