How COVID-19 School Closures in 2020 Impacted Learning—And What Parents Can Do Now
Updated: Oct 26
Covid-19 school shutdowns in March of 2020 may have had a devastating effect on academic achievement for the 2020-21 school year and beyond. What is "The Covid Slide," and what can teachers and parents do to reverse it?
Students faced a "Double Whammy," of negative effects from lost instructional time from school closures coupled with average losses during the annual summer slide.
The extended summer vacation students received in 2020 was unintentional but unavoidable. Schools across the country shut down in March in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to keep students, teachers, and school personnel safe. Schools remained closed for the rest of the academic year which brings us to another unintentional but unavoidable outcome - increased achievement gaps. Teachers and parents worried that the school closures would greatly impact academic achievement due to lost instruction which showed up in the form of huge deficits or learning gaps the following year.
In 2020, the world changed—and so did school. The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of students into remote learning almost overnight. For many families, bedrooms became classrooms, and screens replaced school buses. Now, years later, we’re seeing the academic aftershocks of that shift; learning slowed down and gaps widened. The COVID school closures greatly impacted learning, and some children are still struggling to catch up.
As a parent, you may be wondering: "What does this mean for my child—and how can I help?" The good news? You’re not powerless. Parents have a crucial role to play at home.
How Did COVID School Closures Impact Learning?
How Far Behind Did Students Fall?
In a report titled, "COVID-19 and education: The lingering effects of unfinished learning," researchers from McKinsey & Company found that during the 2020–2021 school year:
Students lost about 4–6 months of math learning
Reading losses were smaller but still significant—especially for younger kids
These losses weren’t the same for everyone. Children from low-income homes, students with learning differences, and English language learners were hit hardest. Unequal access to technology, internet, and one-on-one support made it harder for many kids to keep up.
Why Were Early Readers Hit Hardest?
Learning to read is not just about books—it’s about hearing sounds, watching lips move, and getting instant feedback. None of this is easy to replicate over Zoom. Many children in kindergarten through second grade missed out on critical early reading skills. Children who were in kindergarten and 1st grade in spring 2020 are in 7th and 8th grade this school year (2026).
Why Are Some Kids Still Unmotivated?
Many students, especially older ones, lost motivation for learning. Without daily structure and face-to-face interaction, some felt disconnected from school altogether. Even now, some kids are anxious, disengaged, or just feel behind.
How Can Parents Help Their Child Catch Up Now?
Here are simple, high-impact things you can do at home to support your child’s learning:
✅ 1. Read Together Every Day
Even 15–20 minutes of daily reading can make a huge difference. Let your child choose the book, ask questions as you read, and model thinking out loud.
Try This:
“Why do you think that character did that?”
“What do you think will happen next?”
✅ 2. Practice Math in Daily Life
You don’t need worksheets to support math:
Measure ingredients while cooking
Estimate the bill at the grocery store
Count change or talk about time and schedules
✅ 3. Limit Screen Time—Except for Learning
Encourage quality screen time like educational games, audiobooks, or learning apps. But try to balance it with offline time—drawing, building, writing, or just playing.
✅ 4. Create a Homework Routine
Even 30 minutes of quiet work time each evening helps build focus. Use a visual schedule or checklist to keep things manageable.
✅ 5. Talk to the Teacher
Don’t wait for parent-teacher conferences. Reach out and ask:
“Where is my child struggling?”
“How can I support that skill at home?”
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Be a Teacher—Just Be Present
You’re not expected to recreate school at home. But your involvement—your attention, your questions, your encouragement—matters more than ever.
COVID-19 disrupted more than academics; it disrupted routines, confidence, and connection. As we rebuild, parents are key partners in recovery. With simple, consistent support at home, your child can not only catch up—but thrive!
Not Sure Which Part of Reading Is Holding Your Child Back?
Strategies work best when they target the right skill. If your child is struggling, the first step is finding out whether the problem is decoding, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, or a combination.
The WordWise Reading Diagnostic is a simple, parent-friendly way to find out.
It helps you:
Pinpoint which part of reading is causing the struggle
Separate fluency issues from comprehension issues
Get clear, targeted next steps based on your child’s results
In about 30 minutes, you’ll know where to focus, so the strategies in this post go to work on the right skill.
👉 Download the free reading diagnostic here
👉 Come back to submit your child’s results for a personalized literacy profile and next steps!
Check out these resources to begin helping your child right away!
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