Covid-19: Effects on Young Children, Five years later

COVID -19 Effects on Young Children: A look four years later

Dear Miss Behavior,

What lasting effects are being felt from COVID-19 on children?

Great question — and one I hear often. It’s 2025 now, five years after the world turned upside down, and while the masks are gone and playgrounds are lively again, the ripples of the pandemic are still showing up in kids and families today. Let’s talk about it.

Academics: Still Catching Up

Those tiny preschoolers who missed circle time in 2020? They’re upper elementary kids now. Teachers are still seeing uneven skills, especially in reading and math. Scores are slowly improving, but the climb is steeper for children whose families faced job losses, tech struggles, or high stress during shutdowns. The bright spot? Schools are now far more invested in tutoring, after-school enrichment, and summer programs than ever before.

Emotional Health: Resilience + Residue

Children did bounce back in many ways, but some still carry the echoes of early disruption:

A bit of extra clinginess

Trouble with separation

Sensitivity to routine changes

We’re also seeing higher levels of anxiety in children overall. But we’re also seeing resilience — kids are remarkably adaptable when given support, play, and stability.

Social Skills: Rebuilding Together

The pandemic interrupted those critical “learning to play together” moments. Sharing, negotiating, and handling little disagreements — all skills kids build in groups — didn’t happen as naturally in 2020 and 2021. Now, teachers and parents are intentionally weaving social-emotional learning into daily life. The silver lining? Children are being taught how to name feelings, solve conflicts, and build friendships with more explicit support than ever before.

Parents & Schools: Stronger Partnerships

One of the biggest lessons? Parents are not “outsiders.” During the pandemic, many felt shut out or left in the dark. Now, schools are working harder to connect families with teachers and resources. From parent workshops to school apps, the door is more open than it used to be. Parents are also more confident in their role as their child’s first and forever teacher — and that is a gift worth keeping.

Miss Behavior’s final thought -

The pandemic may be in the rearview mirror, but its lessons are steering us forward. Our kids don’t just need academics — they need connection, stability, and joy. When families and schools partner closely, children not only recover from what was lost, they rise even stronger.

So while COVID-19 left its fingerprints, the story now is about resilience, teamwork, and the beautiful truth that our kids — with us by their side — are still growing, thriving, and shining.

www.dearmissbehavior.com

Tammy Villanueva, MS

Tammy@mybestbehaviorcoach.com