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?
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