Peer-reviewed article
STEM in Early Childhood Education: A Bibliometric Analysis
Jiahong Su, Weipeng Yang ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This bibliometric analysis reviewed 129 peer-reviewed articles on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education in early childhood settings. Most research was conducted in developed countries including the United States, Australia, and Turkey. The analysis identified that STEM research in early childhood tends to cluster around topics like robotics and programming tools, and is frequently connected to psychology. The authors call for more research from diverse geographical regions and greater integration across disciplines.
Key points
- 129 articles on early STEM education were analyzed from educational journals via Web of Science
- Most early childhood STEM research is conducted in developed countries (US, Turkey, Australia)
- Key research clusters include STEM education, Robotics, and Mindstorms
- STEM in ECE studies are frequently associated with psychology
- The authors advocate for more multidisciplinary and geographically diverse STEM research in early childhood
Limitations
This is a bibliometric analysis of published research rather than an evaluation of educational outcomes or interventions. It cannot tell us whether STEM activities in early childhood actually improve children's learning, development, or well-being.
Abstract
Background The technological age of the twenty-first century has witnessed an upsurge in the demand for STEM education. Early childhood STEM learning and teaching has sparked attention among researchers.Purpose This study aims to provide a holistic review of current STEM research in Early Childhood Education (ECE).Sample We conducted a bibliometric analysis of 129 articles on early STEM education published in educational journals via Web of Science.Design and methods This study used VOSviewer to analyze and conduct a bibliometric analysis. Statistical analyses on publications included annual trends, grants, journals, publishers, research topic, publishing source, institutions, keywords, categories and classification, and researchers.Results The review found that (1) The majority of early childhood STEM research was conducted in developed countries such as the United States, Turkey, and Australia. (2) Key STEM literature in ECE studies tended to fall into major clusters such as STEM education, Robotics, and Mindstorms. (3) STEM in ECE studies were frequently associated with psychology in ECE.Conclusion The findings suggest a need for more multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary studies on STEM research in ECE and advocate for the inclusion of the STEM research in ECE from broader geographical contexts.