Beyond the shutdown: Tracking language growth in Early Head Start children before, during, and after COVID-19

Understanding early language outcomes for low-income children in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic is an important concern for researchers, policymakers, and educators. We examined language environments and language development among infants and toddlers in Early Head Start from pre-COVID, through the pandemic peak and beyond to 2025. Study children were aged 2-43 months (N = 2,763; 47% girls; 42% Hispanic of any race; 46% Black or African American, non-Hispanic; 6% White, non-Hispanic; 4% multiracial or biracial, non-Hispanic; 3% other race or unspecified, non-Hispanic). On average, measures of children's classroom language environments improved postpandemic, but children experienced declines in parent-reported language skills and growth lags in child vocalizations in the pandemic's wake. We examine potential moderators and discuss implications for future research and practice.