A US study claims that babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic have reduced verbal, verbal and overall cognitive performance compared to children born pre-pandemic. Research has found that children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are most affected. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the average IQ score on standardized tests for children aged three months to three years was around 100, but that number has dropped to 78 for children born in the pandemic.
For parents, who were able to continue their work from home, and did not face loss of employment or any financial problems, the dual responsibilities of childcare and work have intensified the burden, especially for working women. Feather. The dual responsibilities of childcare and work have increased the pressure on parents. And families whose bread earners have lost their jobs may experience more stress, food and housing insecurity.
A total of 672 children from the state of Rhode Island were included in the study. Out of the total selected children, 308 children were born before January 2019, while 188 children were born after July 2020. Further, 176 of them were born between January 2019 and March 2020. The children in the study were mostly white and had no cognitive impairments. or developmental disability.
The first few years of a child’s life are crucial for a child’s cognitive development. But with COVID-19 tightening its grip on our lives and closing down schools, nurseries and playgrounds, the lives of babies as well as parents have changed drastically. “The biggest reason behind the falling scores is a lack of stimulation and interaction at home,” said Sean Deoni, lead study author and associate professor of pediatrics (research) at Brown University.
It is not clear whether the loss is temporary because after the pandemic, when the situation returns to normal, things will automatically go back and schools will reopen. Scientists may have to continue another study to assess cognitive development after the pandemic is over.
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