Using technology and behavioral economics to promote development in the early years: The effect of an over-the-phone program

Early childhood in developing countries -where risk factors are more prevalent and resources more limited- demand effective and scalable models. We design and experimentally evaluate a telephonic assistance and messaging program for highly vulnerable families with children aged 0 to 3. The intervention focuses on supporting positive parenting practices at home, fostering language development, and offering one-to-one assistance for taking up the government benefits that families are entitled to. The program was implemented in Uruguay with 1360 families that qualified to receive support from the government agency Uruguay Crece Contigo. Treated families receive weekly calls and text and audio messages three times a week for 8 months. We find that the program increases the weekly frequency of parental involvement in stimulating activities and reduces parental stress. In addition, treated families achieve greater access to social benefits and programs including cash transfers and labor market programs. Effects on parental stress are larger for families that received cash transfers during the intervention, and effects on parental stimulation are larger by families experiencing higher economic shocks at baseline.