Global Trends of Research on Advancing the Pedagogical Competence of Preschool Teachers: A Bibliometric Analysis

The pedagogical competency of preschool teachers is critical in shaping the learning path of young learners in today's world. Modern early childhood education, by focusing on the development of crucial skills like teamwork, innovation, and problem-solving, lays the foundation for long-term learning and success. This research delved into the shift in global research outputs over time, spotlighted significant contributors including publications, authors, and countries, and surveyed the prevalent themes discussed. From 1993 to 2023, 1163 out of 2034 papers from the Scopus database were analysed. A quantitative bibliometric approach was utilized, rooted in the 7C-21 framework, using with the PRISMA model to assure a structured and exhaustive review process. The findings indicated a rising emphasis on promoting pedagogical competency in early-grade teaching force, as seen through increased scholarly contributions. Principal contributors, such as journals, authors, and countries, play a pivotal role in encouraging collaboration and the spread of knowledge. The research underscored the necessity for holistic training programs for 21st-century preschool teachers, spotlighting themes like early childhood educator training and the cultivation of pedagogical competence. The study also documented a transition towards practices driven by evidence and cutting-edge methodologies to meet the ever-changing learning requirements of young learners.