Early Childhood Matters 2022

Every day, caregivers, professionals, politicians and policymakers all take actions that profoundly impact children’s lives. We assume these decisions are made rationally. But life can get in the way of best intentions. Everyone, especially parents, get tired, busy and stressed.

Behavioural science takes our realities and imperfections in account, offering evidence-based, empathetic solutions to many caregiving challenges.

In this edition of Early Childhood Matters, we explore why behavioural science can and should be rooted in all areas of caregiving, from reading at home to the doctor’s waiting room and how governments are starting to take note.

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Introduction

Behavioural insights, ideas and action for the early years

What I learned about behavioural science when I became a dad

Michael Feigelson

Can a nudge make us all better caregivers?

Irene Caselli

Advisory board statements

Sam Sternin et al.

Behavioural science insights

Connecting behavioural science and early childhood development: opportunities and misperceptions

The next frontier of behavioural science

Ariel Kalil

What pregnancy taught me about behavioural science

Kristen Berman

The power of simple behaviours for human connection

Linda Richter

Why we need more behavioural approaches focused on fathers

Joshua Jeong

Racial biases emerge in childhood

Michael Rizzo et al.

“Behavioural interventions seem so simple when you read the books”

Neela Saldanha et al.

Spaces that make children want to play

Tim Gill

Save the Children introduces CUBIC

Allison Zelkowitz

Implementing behavioural science ideas

Applying a behavioural approach starts with research, testing, and adaptation

Applying behavioural science to work across cultures

Anne Bedaux et al.

Short films influence caregiving behaviours in Côte d’Ivoire

Sonali Wayal et al.

First steps to make reading a routine in Jaffa

Keren Raz et al.

Prompting parent–child reading in Jordan

Dima Masri et al.

Technology meets face-to- face parenting workshops to create behaviour change

Ana Balsa et al.

WhatsApp Baby Nelson reminds Brazilians to be active caregivers

Mariana Luz

“Our aim is to get healthcare professionals to see themselves as parent coaches”

Yvonne Schönbeck et al.

Nudging paediatricians to help parents

Ala'a Shelleh et al.

“Changing people, it’s a process”

Etienne Bressoud et al.
Pre-intervention play space in Lonkar Garden

Building-in behaviour change when designing public spaces

Prakash Paul et al.

Magic happens when children and caregivers create memories

Ana Paula Marques et al.

Giving caregivers the confidence to cycle

Lucas Snaije et al.

Behavioural science in action

Behavioural solutions at scale that increase positive outcomes for young children and caregivers

Playful Learning Landscapes for children and caregivers

Helen Shwe Hadani et al.

“We know what it means to be parents today, it is not easy”

Alona Abt et al.

“A child’s development needs continuous engagement”

Sumita Ghosh et al.

Removing sludge from early years services

Fionnuala O'Reilly et al.

Cash+: an opening for behavioural interventions

Laura B. Rawlings et al.

“Government is paying attention to this issue”

Iván Budassi et al.

Issue Colophon

Advisory Board: Florencia Lopez Boo. Lead economist, Inter-American Development Bank
 Advisory Board: Josh Martin. Independent innovation expert
 Advisory Board: Lisa A. Gennetian. Professor in the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University
Advisory Board: Sam Sternin. Behavioural science advisor, Bernard van Leer Foundation.
 Managing editor: Hannah Rothschild
 Guest editor: Irene Caselli
 Contributing editors: Andrew Wright
 Text editing: Margaret Mellor
 Design: Hallo Mondo
 Portrait illustrations: Cléa Dieudonné
 Section illustrations: Sjoerd van Leeuwen
 Social media consultant: Shaun Lavelle
 Communication: Alexis Camejo and Mariana Perez Cruz
 Online platform: Wolf&Player

Social media package

Hoping this issue of Early Childhood Matters is a valuable resource for you, we encourage you to share within your network. Below some infographics, including a GIF, and more detailed guidelines with sample social media messages for you to share.

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