Title: Raising Futures: Innovations in Narrowing the Skill Gap between Advantaged and Disadvantaged Children

Virtual: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7905645674
Codi: 1984

Abstract:
Developing children’s cognitive and socio-emotional skills early in life is critical for individual economic well-being and national prosperity. Yet, significant skill gaps linked to parental education emerge early and persist throughout childhood, primarily due to disparities in home-based learning investments. This talk highlights the relevance of efforts to manage the cognitive barriers disadvantaged parents face, including present bias, identity salience, and overconfidence. It emphasizes the potential of low-cost technology-based tools in these efforts. Original evidence from randomized controlled trials conducted at the Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab at the University of Chicago demonstrates that tailored behavioral interventions can significantly enhance parental engagement and improve children’s skill development. The findings suggest reimagining governmental roles beyond schooling to effectively narrow developmental skill gaps, ensuring all children reach their full potential.

Bio:
Ariel Kalil is the Daniel Levin Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy, where she directs the Center for Human Potential and Public Policy and the Behavioral Insights Parenting Lab. She is a developmental psychologist studying economic conditions, parenting, and child development. She has held visiting appointments at the University of Stavanger School of Business and Law and at NHH, the Norwegian School of Economics. Currently, she is an Associate Investigator at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Children and Families Over the Life Course. At the BIP Lab, she utilizes insights from behavioral economics and neuroscience to design and experimentally test technology-based interventions aimed at enhancing parental engagement and child skill development in low-income families.