The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children's executive function: A longitudinal, population-based study
Abstract
This study examines the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the executive function (EF) skills of children ages 3 through 11 in a large, population-based sample (N = 3,107; 50.4% female; 74.6% White, 18.3% Hispanic, 11.8% Black, 10.7% Asian) from 2018 to 2023. A key cognitive capacity, EF supports health, academic success, and well-being. Results indicate that the average rate at which EF grew following the pandemic's onset was lower (0.5 SD) than is developmentally typical based on previous national norms and existing research. On average, all socioeconomic groups demonstrated similar patterns. Findings suggest the pandemic influenced children's EF development, illuminating a potential factor driving systemic, post-pandemic challenges and the importance of supporting EF development.
Fields of Study & Subjects
COVID-19 and Mental Health
Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Child Development
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Volume
- 97
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 1594–1605
- Publication date
- 7 January 2026
- Language
- EN