Macours, KarenVakis, Renos2012-03-302012-03-302010World Development0305750Xhttps://hdl.handle.net/10986/4735This paper provides unique evidence of the positive consequences of seasonal migration for investments in early childhood development. We analyze migration in a poor shock-prone border region in rural Nicaragua where it offers one of the main household income diversification and risk-coping strategies. IV estimates show, somewhat surprisingly, that shock-driven migration by mothers has a positive effect on early cognitive development. We attribute these findings to changes in income and to the intra-household empowerment gains resulting from mother's migration, which offset potential negative early childhood development effects from temporary lack of parenting.ENFertilityFamily PlanningChild CareINTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREAS :: ChildrenYouth J130Geographic Labor MobilityImmigrant Workers J610Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development O120Economic Development: Human ResourcesHuman DevelopmentIncome DistributionMigration O150Economic Development: Regional, Urban, and Rural AnalysesTransportation O180Urban, Rural, and Regional Economics: Regional MigrationRegional Labor MarketsPopulationNeighborhood Characteristics R230Journal ArticleWorld Bank