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Early Childhood Human Capital Formation at Scale

Author

Listed:
  • Johannes M. Bos

    (American Institutes for Research, USA)

  • Akib Khan

    (Uppsala University, Sweden)

  • Saravana Ravindran

    (Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore)

  • Abu S. Shonchoy

    (Department of Economics, Florida International University)

Abstract

Can governments leverage existing service-delivery platforms to scale early childhood development (ECD) programs? We experimentally study a large-scale home-visiting intervention providing materials and counseling -integrated into Bangladesh's national nutrition program without extra financial incentives for the service providers (SPs). We find SPs partially substituted away from nutritional to ECD counseling. Intent-to-treat estimates show the program improved child's cognitive (0.17 SD), language (0.23 SD), and socio-emotional developments (0.12-0.14 SD). Wasting and underweight rates also declined. Improved maternal agency, complementary parental investments, and higher take-up of the pre-existing nutrition program were important mechanisms. We estimate a sizeable internal rate-of-return of 19.6%.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes M. Bos & Akib Khan & Saravana Ravindran & Abu S. Shonchoy, 2021. "Early Childhood Human Capital Formation at Scale," Working Papers 2115, Florida International University, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:fiu:wpaper:2115
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    File URL: https://economics.fiu.edu/research/pdfs/2021_working_papers/21151.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Early childhood development; Human capital formation; Bangladesh;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government

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