PHASE 1:

Three main findings: (1) in 1 of every 3 households with children, at least one parent is absent; (2) caregivers of children growing up without an absent parent invest less time and resources in them (read, sing, and play less) compared to caregivers in families with parents present; (3) children growing up without their parents have worse early childhood developmental outcomes.

PHASE 2:

Results show that caregivers who received this training have a greater sense of responsibility, improve their parenting skills, and spend more time with their grandchildren.

Community health workers appreciate the flexibility of virtual methods, but prefer in-person visits to see the child and assess his or her development. Parents value the printed manual and the activities they could integrate into their daily routine.

A pilot of aeioTU's training and support program was implemented in Morelos, training and advising educators and directors in 7 centers. Subsequently, the model was replicated in 9 Community Child Care Centers (CAIC).

The intervention had positive effects on children's prosocial behavior, self-awareness and cognitive learning, and on center staff (higher levels of empathy, lower negative health symptoms, better pedagogical practices and closer relationships with the children's caregivers). Also on center staff (higher levels of empathy, lower negative health symptoms, better pedagogical practices and a closer relationship with the children's caregivers).