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

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected children's lives, particularly preschool-aged children who undergo rapid biological and psychosocial development. During the pandemic period, a series of restrictive measures were implemented globally and their overall stress effect profoundly affected not only children but their caregivers also. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the language development of preschool children in Greece. To that end, a widely used screening tool was applied in a screening project involving 213 preschoolers. Language development was assessed in three groups of children aged 2-4 years old before, during and after the pandemic. A significant increase in the number of children with abnormal language development profile was identified to the preschoolers after the pandemic versus those before or during the pandemic period (p < 0.036). A higher prevalence of abnormal profiles was observed in girls than in boys (p < 0.001). Interestingly, an increase in the quantity of words, pseudowords, and modes of expression was noted during the pandemic compared to before and after the pandemic. Given the importance of language development as a critical aspect of children's overall personality and well-being, it is recommended that socioeconomic support measures for children and their families should be established for any future similar crises, rather than simply relying on the arbitrary implementation of restrictive measures. Further research tailored to the needs of children and their families is warranted for interventions to promote healthier developmental outcomes.