Thank you for your interest in the OJKO-project!
OJKO is a collaboration between the Academic Workplace PIMD (RU Groningen, the Netherlands; under the supervision of Prof. dr. Annette van der Putten) and research group INOVHO (KU Leuven, Belgium; under the supervision of Prof. dr. Bea Maes).
The project aims to track the development of children with significant developmental delays. We aim to discover how development progresses and how we can explain changes over time. We undertake this journey of discovery together with parents and caregivers, as they are important partners in the child’s development.
OJKO 1.0: a broad view on development
In 2013, we launched OJKO 1.0, a long-term study of children under 5 years old. Data collection for this project was completed in 2020. Summarized, OJKO 1.0 takes a broad view of development. First, because we see development as more than just learning new things. Second, because we’ve mapped development in various areas. And finally, because we’ve investigated what influences that development, both within the child itself and in the environment.
Our most important conclusion?
The development of these children is truly unique, like a fingerprint.
Go to an overview of OJKO 1.0 studies
OJKO 2.0: development like a fingerprint
With what we’ve already learned from OJKO 1.0, we’re eager to begin OJKO 2.0. This follow-up study focuses on children under 13 years old. OJKO 1.0 taught us that the development of children with significant developmental delays is as unique as a fingerprint. That’s why, in this follow-up study, we want to examine their development more closely. What changes in a child’s behavior from day to day, week to week, and month to month? And how can we explain these changes? We’ll pay particular attention to the role of parents and caregivers, as important partners in the child’s development. As a first step, a study on the parent’s role as developmental partner has been published. We’re currently drafting a project proposal to take further steps for OJKO 2.0!