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The Right Timing Matters: Sensitive Periods in the Formation of Socio-Emotional Skills

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Breitkopf
  • Shyamal Chowdhury
  • Daniel A. Kamhöfer
  • Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch
  • Matthias Sutter
  • Daniel Kamhöfer

Abstract

Identifying sensitive periods in which the returns to investments into skills are especially high is challenging, but crucial for an effective and efficient timing of parental or public investments aimed at fostering children’s skills. We can detect sensitive periods with a novel design by implementing the same investment in different school grades and examining grade-specific treatment effects. Based on a randomized controlled trial with more than 3,200 Bangladeshi children in grades 2 to 5, we find sensitive periods in the formation of self-control and patience in grade 2 (age 7–8), while prosociality remains similarly malleable throughout grades 2 to 5 (age 7–11).

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Breitkopf & Shyamal Chowdhury & Daniel A. Kamhöfer & Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch & Matthias Sutter & Daniel Kamhöfer, 2025. "The Right Timing Matters: Sensitive Periods in the Formation of Socio-Emotional Skills," CESifo Working Paper Series 11953, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_11953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shyamal Chowdhury & Manuela Puente Beccar & Hannah Schildberg-Hörisch & Sebastian O. Schneider & Matthias Sutter, 2025. "Spatial patterns in the formation of economic preferences," Discussion Paper Series of the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods 2025_10, Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods.

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    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D64 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Altruism; Philanthropy; Intergenerational Transfers
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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