Research from Utrecht University reveals that toddlers during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) exhibited a reduced vocabulary compared to earlier cohorts. Additionally, infants born during this time showed slower social-emotional development. Lead researcher Anika van der Klis highlights the importance of varied social interactions for language acquisition and expresses concern over long-term impacts on children’s development, urging for enhanced support in language and emotional skills to mitigate these deficits.