This Research Group conducts applied research on the learning and behaviour of children with special educational (or care) needs, whether due to behavioural problems, a physical disability or because a child is gifted, for example. It is sometimes difficult for teachers to promote the learning process of children like this. We conduct research on the interaction skills that are invaluable to teachers in these situations.

The Curious Minds vision on the learning and development of children and the encouragement of this learning and development are key, based on the premise that all children display talented behaviour, provided this ability is recognised in them. Talented behaviour manifests itself in curiosity, enthusiasm, exploration, reasoning and efforts to elicit support from the people around them. As a professional, it is important to recognise the talented behaviour of students, to have the ability to assess the needs that a child has and to take (talented) action oneself.

In various research projects, researchers work with knowledge partners and partners from the field, with the object of developing knowledge that can be applied in educational practice. Researchers also work with researchers involved in the other Curious Minds domains and with lecturer-researchers in the Talent and Diversity Living Lab. Research is embedded in the Youth, Education and Society core professorship, as part of the Centre of Expertise Healthy Ageing at Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen.