RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Using Behavioral Insights to Increase Parental Engagement
JF Journal of Human Resources
JO J Hum Resour
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 900
OP 925
DO 10.3368/jhr.54.4.0617.8835R
VO 54
IS 4
A1 Susan E. Mayer
A1 Ariel Kalil
A1 Philip Oreopoulos
A1 Sebastian Gallegos
YR 2019
UL http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/54/4/900.abstract
AB Parental engagement plays a key role in children’s future success. We implemented a behaviorally informed field experiment designed to increase the time parents spend using a digital library on an electronic tablet to read to their children. Behavioral tools—reminders, goal setting, and social rewards—more than doubled the amount of time parents spent reading using the electronic application (one standard deviation effect size) after the six-week intervention. The largest gains were for the most present-oriented parents. Our findings suggest substantial promise for the application of behavioral tools to parenting activities that promote investment in children’s human capital.