Cash transfers, behavioral changes, and cognitive development in early childhood
Subtitle: evidence from a randomized experiment
By: Karen Macours, Norbert Schady, Renos Vakis.
Contributors: Schady, Norbert Rüdiger, 1967-; Vakis, Renos Nicos.; World Bank.
Series: Policy research working paper -- 4759; Policy research working papers (Online) -- 4759.
Publisher: World Bank
Published: 2008
Place of publication: [Washington, D.C
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Subjects: Child development -- Nicaragua; Transfer payments -- Nicaragua
Description: "A variety of theories of skill formation suggest that investments in schooling and other dimensions of human capital will have lower returns if children do not have adequate levels of cognitive and social skills at an early age.  This paper analyzes the impact of a randomized cash transfer program on cognitive development in early childhood in rural Nicaragua.  It shows that the program had significant effects on cognitive outcomes, especially language.  Impacts are larger for older pre-school age children, who are also more likely to be delayed.  The program increased intake of nutrient-rich foods, early stimulation, and use of preventive health care-all of which have been identified as risk factors for development in early childhood.  Households increased expenditures on these inputs more than can be accounted for by the increases in cash income only, suggesting that the program changed parents' behavior.  The findings suggest that gains in early childhood development outcomes should be taken into account when assessing the benefits of cash transfer programs in developing countries.  More broadly, the paper illustrates that gains in early childhood development can result from interventions that facilitate investments made by parents to reduce risk factors for cognitive development. "--World Bank web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 5/12/2009.

Includes bibliographical references.

Also available in print.

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Mode of access: World Wide Web.