Were 'Covid Kids' Really Damaged? What 17 New Studies Show

Blaming your kid's attention span on Covid? In this episode, Dr. Aliza Pressman sits down with Georgetown Professor and developmental psychologist, Dr. Anna Johnson, to unpack a landmark special section of 17 longitudinal studies published in Child Development, the field's top journal. Together they walk through what parents have been told about "Covid kids" versus what the actual research shows about learning loss, executive functioning, and child mental health five years later. What you’ll learn: ● Why longitudinal research tells a different story than the "learning loss" headlines ● Which kids were actually at higher risk — and which weren't ● Why reading recovered faster than math after school closures ● How parent-child closeness buffered teens against long-term depression and anxiety ● The infant study that found zero effect of Covid on biological aging ● Why grade inflation and parent-teacher distrust may explain more than the pandemic does 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS: Learn More About This Episode's Guest: 📖 Dr. Anna Johnson: https://www.cdsplab.org/faculty https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/00336000014TwO9AAK/anna-d-johnson 🔬 The Child Development special section, "Children's Developmental Trajectories in the Long Shadow of COVID-19": https://academic.oup.com/chidev/advance-article/doi/10.1093/chidev/aacag153/8763937 Read more on this topic: 📚https://www.cdsplab.org/tulsa-seed-briefs 📚https://academic.oup.com/chidev/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/chidev/aacaf030/8505765 📚https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2027-01613-001 Follow Raising Good Humans: 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisinggoodhumanspodcast/ 🎙️ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/raising-good-humans/id1473072044 Subscribe on Substack for weekly articles and exclusive LIVE Q&As: 📧 https://dralizapressman.substack.com/ 🔔 New episodes every week — subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a conversation on raising healthy, resilient humans. This episode is brought to you by: Great Wolf Lodge: With 22 lodges across the country, you’re always only a short drive away from adventure. Learn more at GreatWolf.com and strengthen the pack. Boar’s Head: For lunchtime inspiration visit: boarshead.com/backtoschool. For Boar’s Head, head to your local deli counter. Kodiak: Feel good about snack choices with Kodiak Bars. Find them at kodiakcakes.com or your local grocery store. They’re the ones with the bear on the box. Merit Beauty: Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag – which if you’ve seen it, it’s not just a make-up bag but really an accessory – free with your first order at meritbeauty.com. Minnow: Cabana Capsule celebrates days spent lingering by the sea, soaking up the sun, and savoring the simple luxury of having nowhere to be. Shop the capsule starting July 7th at shopminnow.com and enter code MEETMINNOW15 at checkout to receive 15% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices