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  5. Nurturing Childhood Curiosity to Enhance Learning: Evidence from a Randomized Pedagogical Intervention

Nurturing Childhood Curiosity to Enhance Learning: Evidence from a Randomized Pedagogical Intervention

  • Sule Alan
  • Ipek Mumcu
American Economic Review
vol. 114, no. 4, April 2024
(pp. 1173-1210)
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Abstract

We evaluate a pedagogical intervention aimed at improving learning in elementary school children by fostering their curiosity. We test the effectiveness of the pedagogy using achievement scores and a novel measure of curiosity. The latter involves creating a sense of information deprivation and quantifying the urge to acquire information and retention ability. The intervention increases curiosity, knowledge retention, and science test scores, with the effects persisting into middle school years. It also leads to more information sharing and peer learning in the classroom. The evidence can help design better pedagogical tools to increase pupil engagement and the quality of learning.

Citation

Alan, Sule, and Ipek Mumcu. 2024. "Nurturing Childhood Curiosity to Enhance Learning: Evidence from a Randomized Pedagogical Intervention." American Economic Review, 114 (4): 1173-1210. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20230084

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • D83 Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
  • I21 Analysis of Education
  • I26 Returns to Education
  • J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
  • O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration