Child Diversity & Development Child Diversity & Development

The Child Diversity and Development program offers you a cross-cultural perspective on the relationship between theory and practice in childcare institutions. Enrich and develop your critical thinking skills through investigating and reflecting upon current issues in the fields of international child development and education.

Student Profile

For students who want to enhance their cross-cultural skills and explore international theory and practice within social policy, human development, sociology, family studies, anthropology, education and child psychology.

Core Courses

Depending on the track, you will focus either on how ethnic diversity and multiculturalism are perceived and practiced in Danish early childhood education, or how children with special needs are integrated and included in Danish society and educational practice.

Students are required to obtain criminal clearance before arrival to work in a Danish child care center.

Special Danish Course

You are encouraged to improve your language skills in the Danish Language & Culture course specifically designed to enhance your practicum experiences in a Danish childcare institution.

Study Tours

Enables you to learn about Danish pedagogy, culture and society from a broader standpoint. Visits include unique educational institutions, community centers and local authorities.

The tours give students a forum to discuss and debate cultural differences within ‘best practice’.  Each of the destinations encourage students to explore the historical, economic, and social backgrounds of their topic.  Tours integrate theories presented in classroom learning together with practicum observations, field studies, and the tour visits. The tours may include visits to schools, NGO’s, and research centers.

Elective Courses

In addition to the required core course, you are free to select any combination of courses from the DIS curriculum. Please click here to see a full course and syllabi overview. If you want to take some of your electives in the fields of child care or psychology, check out courses listed under Child Development, Education, and Psychology.

Child Diversity & Development Photo Gallery

DIS Student Bloggers

Wonder what it is like to study Child Diversity & Development in Copenhagen? 

Click here to read Perri VanderClock's blog!

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As someone who wants to educate, the fact that I have gotten to see the Danish way of learning is huge for me. It is everything I have always loved about my childhood, put in a theory and implemented all over the country. Without having this experience, if I was to explain my ideas about education I would get a lot of blank stares and criticisms. After coming here, I can say that it is this theory and practice that backs up my goals and ideas; here is where this system has worked. That is invaluable knowledge for me to have.

Trisha Neel Sonoma State

Hands-On Experience!

A unique highlight of the core courses is immersing yourself into the day-to-day realities of the Danish concept of the “good childhood” through the practicum experience. At the practicum site, you will be working and playing with children in a Danish childcare facility.
This experiential, hands-on learning process supplements the educational, social, developmental and psychological theories presented in class. This experience comprises 45-50 hours per semester at a Danish institution with children.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: CDD students choosing the Practicum option are strongly advised to sign up for the Danish Language & Culture course. It can prove invaluable!

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