The effects of two interventions aimed at promoting child welfare
Expositor:
Dra.
Ana María Carmiol, Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas
Resumen del coloquio: This study examines the effects of two
concurrent interventions aimed at enhancing children’s welfare: one targeting
early educational outcomes and the other focusing on improving labor market
outcomes of mothers within the household. The first intervention assessed the
impact of a 12-week, low-cost book-sharing program on parent-child literacy
practices and children’s vocabulary development in Costa Rica. A total of 168
children aged 15 to 17 months and their mothers were randomly assigned to
either participate in the book-sharing intervention or be placed on a waitlist.
Those in the book-sharing group received children’s books and informative text
messages on effective book-sharing techniques. The intervention positively
influenced mother-child reading activity, with mothers in the experimental
group exhibiting higher engagement and generating more questions and
conversations during book-sharing sessions than those in the control group.
While the intervention improved the home language and literacy environment,
early vocabulary development did not show significant enhancement, suggesting
the potential necessity for subsequent interventions.
The second
intervention investigated the impact of providing mothers with information on
accessing state subsidies to cover out-of-home childcare services on labor
market outcomes. The sample comprised the same group of 168 mothers of
toddlers. They were randomly assigned to either an experimental group receiving
information about out-of-home infant care or a waitlist. Mothers in the
experimental group received a brochure and a video describing a) the benefits
of out-of-home childcare, b) the characteristics of quality childcare centers,
and c) information about currently available out-of-home childcare subsidy
programs in the country and how to access them. Results indicated that
providing such information increased maternal labor force participation.
However, no statistically significant effects were observed on unemployment and
the number of hours worked. Our findings shed light on how to design policies
aimed at promoting human capital from an early age.
Modalidad: Bimodal
Detalles: viernes 03 de mayo 12m.d.,
Miniauditorio aula 244CE. Transmisión FB Live. Escuela de Economía
ZOOM:
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https://udecr.zoom.us/j/81145414318
ID de reunión: 811 4541 4318
Código de acceso: 515797