Effectiveness of a Danish early year preschool program: A randomized trial

TY - JOUR

T1 - Effectiveness of a Danish early year preschool program

T2 - A randomized trial

AU - Jensen, Bente

AU - Holm, Anders

AU - Bremberg, Sven

PY - 2013/6

Y1 - 2013/6

N2 - A significant number of studies indicate that early year preschool programs lead to positive long-term effects. Systematic quality improvement of early year preschool may enhance these outcomes. The ASP Program was built on this principle. In this program preschool staff are supported in their efforts to critically reflect on current practices and to change these. A randomized controlled study was carried out in Denmark from September 2006 to May 2008. The study encompassed 2323 children in 59 preschools in two municipalities. Children were assessed using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at the start of the intervention, at mid term, and by the end. The results indicate that, in the intervention group, children developed fewer emotional symptoms, conduct problems, became less hyperactive and were more attentive. The effect sizes ranged between 0.15 and 0.2.

AB - A significant number of studies indicate that early year preschool programs lead to positive long-term effects. Systematic quality improvement of early year preschool may enhance these outcomes. The ASP Program was built on this principle. In this program preschool staff are supported in their efforts to critically reflect on current practices and to change these. A randomized controlled study was carried out in Denmark from September 2006 to May 2008. The study encompassed 2323 children in 59 preschools in two municipalities. Children were assessed using the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire at the start of the intervention, at mid term, and by the end. The results indicate that, in the intervention group, children developed fewer emotional symptoms, conduct problems, became less hyperactive and were more attentive. The effect sizes ranged between 0.15 and 0.2.

KW - Faculty of Social Sciences

KW - Preschool

KW - Socio-emotional problems

KW - Systematic quality improvement

KW - RCT

KW - Denmark

U2 - doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2013.06.004

DO - doi:10.1016/j.ijer.2013.06.004

M3 - Journal article

SN - 0883-0355

VL - 62

SP - 115

EP - 128

JO - International Journal of Educational Research

JF - International Journal of Educational Research

ER -