معرفی
Maria Simonsson is the Deputy Dean and Senior Associate Professor at the Department of Behavioural Sciences and Learning (IBL) within the Faculty of Educational Sciences at Linköping University. She is affiliated with the Division of Learning, Aesthetics, Natural Science (LEN). Her work focuses on early childhood education, preschool pedagogy, and multilingualism. Key research areas include didactic practices in preschool, the role of guided play in immigrant children’s development, and the integration of visual and literary resources in education.
Her research explores themes like professional read-aloud practices, cultural mediation through picture books, and the interplay between play, language, and learning. She has contributed to action research projects on multilingualism and led studies on preschool teachers’ reasoning about educational interventions. Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing inclusive pedagogy and the socialization processes of young children.
Maria actively participates in academic networks, such as the WERA Task Force on Extended Education, and contributes to international conferences like PATT (Pupils’ Attitudes Toward Technology). She collaborates on projects addressing transitions in early schooling and the role of special needs assistants in Swedish schools.
Her publications span peer-reviewed journals, conference papers, and book chapters, reflecting a commitment to advancing understanding of preschool education’s cultural, linguistic, and pedagogical dimensions. She is also involved in organizing academic events, such as the 2025 WERA conference in Norrköping, which highlights her leadership in educational research.
