Determinants of early childhood stimulation: Evidence using panel data from Chile

This paper examines the determinants of early childhood stimulation provided by caregivers using an ecological approach. The focus of our inquiry is on Chile, one of the most economically unequal coun-tries in the world. We use data from the Longitudinal Early Childhood Survey conducted in 2010 and 2012, which contains information regarding infants aged 30 months on average ( n = 8,251). Early child-hood stimulation is examined using a multidimensional index that comprises three domains: caregivers' stimulation of cognitive-language, sensorimotor, and socio-emotional development. Our dynamic models show that the main factors that lead to less stimulation are low caregiver education, low-income house-holds, and large families. Specifically, it was found that an additional child being born within a two-year period decreases stimulation, indicating possible competition between siblings due to time and resource restrictions in the household. Furthermore, caregivers' performance in personality (BFI) and linguistic in-telligence (WAIS language) tests was found to be a more significant factor than operational memory. Taken together, these findings suggest the need for initiatives aimed at increasing equality in early child-hood stimulation. (c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examines the determinants of early childhood stimulation provided by caregivers in Chile, revealing that low caregiver education, low-income households, and large families are the main factors leading to insufficient stimulation. The study also highlights the significance of caregivers' personality and linguistic intelligence compared to operational memory in early childhood stimulation.