Duration: 59 minutes
Status: Now available on demand
Independent research from LENA and Brown University reveals a troubling trend: babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic are vocalizing less and experiencing fewer interactive conversations with adults than their pre-pandemic peers. These findings suggest a potential increase in the risk of language delays and broader developmental impacts.
In this recorded webinar, researchers Dr. Sean Deoni and Dr. Jill Gilkerson share the results of two aligned studies examining the impact of the pandemic on early language environments. The discussion explores both the neurological and environmental data behind these findings and considers how communities can respond to support families and infants moving forward.
Key topics include:
- Evidence of decreased child vocalizations and conversational turns
- Pandemic-related impacts on verbal, motor, and cognitive performance
- Using LENA technology to measure and understand language environments
- What caregivers, educators, and policymakers can do next
Presenters:
Dr. Sean Deoni
Associate Professor of Diagnostic Imaging and Pediatrics, Brown University
Principal Investigator, Advanced Baby Imaging Lab
Dr. Deoni develops and applies neuroimaging techniques to study brain development in infants and young children, with a focus on the effects of poverty, nutrition, and adversity.
Dr. Jill Gilkerson
Chief Research and Evaluation Officer, LENA
Dr. Gilkerson leads LENA’s research team and oversees the collection and analysis of spontaneous speech data used for developmental research, product development, and program evaluation.