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Strengthening Improving Parenting Skills through Community-Based Interventions: Evidence from the Crescere nel Villaggio Project

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Del Boca

    (University of Turin and Collegio Carlo Alberto)

  • Luca Mo Costabella

    (Asvapp)

  • Chiara Pronzato

    (University of Turin)

Abstract

In this paper, we evaluate the impact of participation in the Villaggi per Crescere (Villages for Growing Up) program. These "villages" are physical spaces where families with preschool-aged children can engage in shared activities and receive parenting support. We evaluate the program's effects using a difference-in-differences approach combined with propensity score matching. The treatment group consists of families who attended visit the village at least ten times, while the control group was constructed ad hoc with the support of a survey agency. Our findings show that parents involved in the program read and sing more frequently with their children, and report greater self-efficacy and awareness in their parenting practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Del Boca & Luca Mo Costabella & Chiara Pronzato, 2026. "Strengthening Improving Parenting Skills through Community-Based Interventions: Evidence from the Crescere nel Villaggio Project," Working Papers 2025-013, Human Capital and Economic Opportunity Working Group.
    • Handle: RePEc:hka:wpaper:2025-013
    Note: ECI, FI
    as

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    File URL: http://humcap.uchicago.edu/RePEc/hka/wpaper/DelBoca_MoCostabella_Pronzato_2025_strength-improve-parent-skill-crescere-del-vill.pdf
    File Function: First version, November 2025
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. James Heckman & Flavio Cunha, 2007. "The Technology of Skill Formation," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 97(2), pages 31-47, May.
    2. Flavio Cunha & James J. Heckman & Susanne M. Schennach, 2010. "Estimating the Technology of Cognitive and Noncognitive Skill Formation," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 78(3), pages 883-931, May.
    3. Del Boca, Daniela & Pronzato, Chiara Daniela & Schiavon, Lucia, 2024. "The impact evaluation of short repeated programs: The case of parenting skills programs," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 106(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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