Impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on Child Development and Caregiving: A 7‐Year Repeated Cross‐Sectional Study of 3‐Year‐Old Children in Kobe City, Japan

Key Points

• This research aims to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected language development and social interactions in young children.
• Conducted a 7-year repeated cross-sectional study
• Focused on 3-year-old children in Kobe City, Japan
• Analyzed changes in development before and during the pandemic
• Identified a decrease in language development among children during the pandemic
• Noted reduced social interactions, reflecting limited opportunities for social engagement
• Findings suggest significant implications for caregiving practices during COVID-19