Publication Details

Description: 

This paper presents the findings from a large-scale field experiment involving two early childhood programs in rural Bangladesh over two years. The research resulted in a comprehensive dataset on parental investment, child outcomes, and social interactions. The study reveals that both programs—formal preschool education and home visits aimed at improving parenting practices—significantly improved children’s cognitive and non-cognitive development. Additionally, the study observed spillover effects on children from untreated families in villages where other children received treatment. A theoretical model was developed, demonstrating that connections between untreated parents and those who received the home visit intervention positively impacted the outcomes of untreated children. These novel findings highlight the crucial role of parental social networks in influencing early childhood development by facilitating the exchange of effective parenting practices within communities. Beyond providing policy and theoretical insights, the research design offers a framework for causal inference on other forms of social interaction effects on parental investment and human capital formation.

Key Findings:

1. Program Impact: Both early childhood programs led to substantial improvements (0.5 standard deviations) in children’s cognitive and non-cognitive skills.
2. Spillover Effects: Untreated children from villages with treated families experienced significant improvements (0.2 standard deviations), particularly when their parents were connected to those receiving home visits.
3. Parental Networks: The study developed a model showing the importance of connections between treated and untreated parents in enhancing child outcomes. Children of untreated families connected to families that received the intervention benefited more from the spillover effects.
4. Policy Implications: The research underscores the importance of parental social networks in early childhood development, suggesting that policy interventions should leverage these networks to improve child development outcomes.
5. Heterogeneity: The interventions showed the most significant gains for children from weaker academic backgrounds and economically disadvantaged families.