New national study reveals 'mixed legacy' of pandemic on early childhood development

New research led by Professor Claudine Bowyer-Crane has uncovered a complex picture of how COVID-19 reshaped the lives of young learners in England. The ICICLES study was initiated while Professor Bower-Crane was at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR). The study tracked children's language, socioemotional, and educational progress for three years following the initial lockdowns. While many children displayed remarkable personal resilience, national data suggests a troubling "lost ground" in core academic skills, particularly writing.