Preschool Children's Activities and Social-Emotional Development: Challenges, Disparities, and Implications

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 3:05 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Predictors and Moderators for Preschool Children's Social Emotional Development (Table 4)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of the pandemic on preschool children's activities and social-emotional development. Nationwide surveys were conducted 5 times from Spring 2020 to Fall 2022, revealing high levels of social and emotional problems among children during the pandemic, which have not significantly improved as of fall 2022. While in-person preschool participation rates have returned to pre-pandemic levels, the expected improvements in social and emotional well-being did not materialize in the most recent cohort. Additionally, the recovery in preschool enrollment did not extend to children from the lowest-income families. These findings underscore the persistent challenges and disparities faced by young children in their development and call for targeted interventions and equitable access to preschool education and support.

Authors

• Kwanghee Jung, National Institute for Early Education Research

• W. Steven Barnett, Rutgers University