Nadine Deeb

With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down many public places, students lacked access to libraries, museums, and schools, where children acquire most of their academic knowledge. Online school was difficult for many kids and the effects of online learning were left unknown. In this study, children ages 4 through 6 years old were tested on their academic vocabulary using the Third Edition Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT-3). The EVT-3 is a standard American English vocabulary assessment designed to assess word retrieval. Academic vocabulary is oral, written, auditory, and visual language proficiency required to learn effectively in schools and academic programs. We received participants through 'word of mouth' and the use of flyers. After assuring all participants were eligible to participate, we tested each participant using the home-literacy and demographics survey and determined what percentile each participant scored for their age. Three participants were excluded due to improper testing. Of the eleven participants the study included, five participants scored below the 50th percentile for their age. With this information, the study suggests that no outside factors interfere with the acquisition of academic vocabulary in children ages 4 through 6 years old.