Improved Child Nutrition and Intellectual Development Through Technology, Home Visits and Father Involvement in India

Opportunities for cognitive development are unavailable to most children in India. Government programmes for children favour cure and prevention over promotive care, are not directed towards improving cognitive development, and have hinged entirely on the mother as the primary recipient of information and action. Evidence from programmes underline the importance of paternal involvement in child development in the early stages, there is little evidence on its effect in India. The proposed project seeks to promote cognitive and nutritional development by disseminating targeted information, using information technology through the network of Anganwadi, and increasing the involvement of the fathers. The project would look at involving male role models and norm challenging messaging. The intervention will be evaluated through mixed methods (RCT and qualitative). The results will provide insights on improving early childhood development in India and other LMIC.