Behavioral scientists at Harris Public Policy spent months studying whether cheap, easy nudges could get parents to spend more time reading to their kids. October 27, 2015 Jake J. Smith Last fall, all across Chicago, low-income families with preschool-age children brought home iPads cased in kid-proof plastic covers. Each came loaded with an app that allowed parents and children to scroll through hundreds of storybooks, from classics like The Ugly Duckling to modern bestsellers like Llama Llama Red Pajama. But what looked like high-tech story time is actually high-stakes social research in action. Harris' Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab was examining a groundbreaking intervention called Parents and Children Together. The goal was to determine whether a series of low-cost, light-touch nudges could get parents to spend more time reading to their kids. Well, the results are in. So did it work? The findings were published in the National Bureau of Economic Research this month. Behavioral Insights and Parenting Lab Director Professor Ariel Kalil explains why this project was so groundbreaking—and discusses whether behavioral techniques might help nudge families toward educational equality. To make sure you never miss a new episode of Radio Harris, subscribe oniTunes or follow us on SoundCloud! Faculty Spotlight Ariel Kalil Daniel Levin Professor Ariel Kalil is a Professor at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy. Upcoming Events More events Campus Visit Wed., April 24, 2024 | 12:20 PM 1307 E 60th St Chicago, IL 60487 United States Climate Capital & Sustainable Solutions: Diverse Perspectives on Funding the Climate Crisis Wed., April 24, 2024 | 6:30 PM St. Bartholomew's Church 325 Park Ave. New York, NY 10022 United States Denver Area Harris Alumni Networking Event Thu., April 25, 2024 | 6:00 PM NW Denver (location details provided to registrants) Denver, CO 80212 United States