nep-neu New Economics Papers
on Neuroeconomics
Issue of 2024‒09‒16
two papers chosen by
Daniel Houser, George Mason University


  1. IMPACT OF READING ON THE ENHANCEMENT OF COGNITIVE SKILLS AND CREATIVITY IN CHILDREN By Manjari Johri
  2. Parental Investments and Skills Formation During Infancy and Youth: Long Term Evidence From an Early Childhood Intervention By Orazio Attanasio; Darwin Cortes; Dario Maldonado; Paul Rodriguez-Lesmes; Nathalie Charpak; Rejean Tessier; Juan G. Ruiz; Juan Gallego; Tiberio Hernandez; Felipe Uriza; Andres Gallegos

  1. By: Manjari Johri
    Abstract: Child development is closely tied to cognitive abilities, communication skills, inventiveness, and the capacity to conceive and share ideas. It has been noted that children who engage in reading from an early age tend to have enhanced cognitive functions and experience better mental well-being as they approach their teenage years. However, the interest in reading among children is waning due to the allure of digital gaming and the use of various electronic devices. This article delves into the effects of reading on children, arguing that it develops empathy, curiosity, knowledge, and social skills. It further explores how different genres and themes in children's literature play a role in enhancing imagination and cognitive skills. Key words:Child Psychology, Cognitive abilities, Imagination, life- skills, Mental health
    Date: 2024–06
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:vor:issues:2024-50-01
  2. By: Orazio Attanasio; Darwin Cortes; Dario Maldonado; Paul Rodriguez-Lesmes; Nathalie Charpak; Rejean Tessier; Juan G. Ruiz; Juan Gallego; Tiberio Hernandez; Felipe Uriza; Andres Gallegos
    Abstract: What happens to children during the early years is recognized to be very important for their long run development. It is also increasingly clear that the skills that are relevant for economic success and more generally well-being are multidimensional, including different types of socioemotional skills. In this paper, we look at the long run impacts of an intervention targeted to premature children, known as Kangaroo Mother Care. We do so using data from a randomised control trial performed several decades ago in Bogotá, Colombia, to assess the short run impacts of such an intervention. A large fractions of the participants to that trial were examined over 20 years after the original intervention. We first show that the original intervention had a significant impact on externalizing socio-emotional skills at age 22 and a variety of adult outcomes. We then perform a mediation analysis which involves the estimation of a production function of socioemotional skills and show that the long run impact seems to be explained entirely by an increase on one type of parental investment measured when the participants were 12 months old. Our results also show a remarkable degree of persistence of different types of skills.
    JEL: I19 J13
    Date: 2024–08
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:nbr:nberwo:32851

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