Introduction

Maire Tuul (PhD) is an early childhood education expert who has been active in the field since 1994. She began her career at Viimsi Kindergarten Piilupesa, taking on various roles over 15 years. While working, she completed her diploma and master’s studies and, in 2010, joined Tallinn University as a researcher and lecturer, later becoming an associate professor.
Her research focuses on teaching approaches, transition to Estonian-language education, curriculum development, STEM education, and the use of educational robots in kindergartens. She has led early childhood education programs at Tallinn University and contributed to national policy development.
Recently, she has focused on international collaboration with researchers, educators, and companies. Since 2020, she has served as the Estonian coordinator for the European Early Childhood Education Research Association (EECERA).

Main tasks

Teaching at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels

Supervising mini-research projects, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses

Research and development activities in the field of early childhood education (projects, studies, etc.)

Leading the development of the research module in the early childhood education curriculum

Areas of research

Early Childhood Education

STEAM education in ECE

Teachers' learning concepts

Educational robotics in ECE

Curriculum development

Transition to Estonian-language education