Teaching for the Future

Teaching for the Future – The Estonian Early Childhood Education Model

Discover Estonian early childhood education through everyday practice at Väike Päike. Explore child-centred learning, inspiring learning environments, self-regulation and playful STEAM activities, and develop ideas you can adapt to your own setting.

Course description

How can everyday routines, learning environments and adult interactions support children’s independence, curiosity and self-regulation?

This five-day course introduces the principles of Estonian early childhood education through examples from Väike Päike Children’s Club. It connects educational ideas with the daily work of childcare centres and kindergartens, helping participants reflect on their own practice and identify meaningful opportunities for development.

Through practical workshops, structured observation, discussions and shared reflection, you will explore how children learn through play, choice, relationships and investigation. You will try activities, exchange experiences with colleagues and develop an action plan for your own setting.

Who is this course for?

Early childhood teachers, pedagogical leaders and heads of childcare centres and kindergartens who want to develop child-centred practice and learn from the Estonian experience.

What will you explore?

• Day 1: Estonian early childhood education, child-centred learning and the adult’s role.
• Day 2: Learning environments that support choice and independence, including structured observation in a kindergarten.
• Day 3: Practical approaches to emotional regulation, working memory and inhibitory control.
• Day 4: Playful STEAM, inquiry and hands-on investigation.
• Day 5: Reflection, sharing and an action plan for your own setting.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Explain key principles of Estonian early childhood education and relate them to your own context.
• Analyse how a learning environment supports children’s choices and independence.
• Select playful strategies to support children’s self-regulation.
• Design a STEAM activity with a clear learning aim and appropriate adult support.
• Develop a practical action plan with implementation steps and a way to review progress.

How will you learn?

The course combines practical workshops, observation tasks, case discussions, individual reflection and peer feedback. You will work individually, in pairs and in small groups.

What will you take away?

An observation-based improvement idea, practical strategies for supporting self-regulation, a STEAM activity plan and an action plan to share with your team.

Interested in joining us?

Contact us to discuss upcoming dates, your learning goals and participation arrangements.