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How can we take care of socially disadvantaged children in the best way?

The research project VIDA examines how life opportunities of socially disadvantaged children in day care can be improved.  

With a focused and systematic effort in day care it is possible to - according to international research - achieve positive results in the short run as well as the long run in connection with socially disadvantaged children. The VIDA-project (Knowledge-based Efforts for Socially Disadvantaged Children in Day-care) examines whether the same positive effects are obtainable in Danish day care.

What does the VIDA-project examine?

The VIDA-project, which is conducted by researchers at the Department of Education (DPU) Aarhus University under the leadership of Associate Professor, Bente Jensen, explores the well-being and learning of socially disadvantaged children in day care. Through this project the researches seek answers to the following questions:

Can positive effects be perceived when working focused and systematically with the well-being and learning of socially disadvantaged children in day care?

  • What is the effect of supplementing the effort with a focused parental involvement?
  • Which conditions in the pedagogical environment advance the opportunities for strengthening the life opportunities of socially disadvantaged children?
  • What is the significance of the qualification of pedagogues for co-operating in a knowledge-based and innovative way?

The first two progress reports of the researchers behind the VIDA-project were published in 2011. Furthermore, a research mapping of programmes for 0-6-year olds with parental involvement were published as part of the VIDA-series. In 2012 the next two progress reports will be published, and on 24 May 2012 a mid-term conference will be held, to which the Minister for Children and Education is invited to give a speech.

At the mid-term conference the researchers will paint a broad picture of the research-related knowledge of what has had a positive effect on the work with socially disadvantaged children, and what possibly counteracts. The researchers will present a definition of social innovation as a permanent renewal of practice with a view to advancing the life opportunities for socially disadvantaged children.


120 day-care centres, approximately 1000 pedagogues, 7000 children and their parents in four municipalities in Denmark participate in the VIDA-project.

 

Facts about VIDA