Global Trends in Assessing Social and Emotional Development in Early Childhood Education: A Bibliometric Analysis (2020–2025)

This bibliometric study uses extensive Scopus database records and VOS viewer software for detailed visualisation to examine worldwide research trends in the evaluation of social and emotional development in early childhood education from 2020 to 2025. In addition to highlighting important contributors like the University of Toronto, Macquarie University, and Temple University, the study finds notable increases in scholarly attention during this time frame. It also reveals changing research priorities that integrate digital media, mental health, and nutrition into developmental assessments. The study highlights the growing use of interdisciplinary approaches in the fields of public health, psychology, and education by identifying prevalent and developing themes using systematic keyword co-occurrence analysis. The results show that interdisciplinary research and cooperative efforts have grown significantly, making significant contributions to the advancement of international educational policies and practices. This research highlights the significance of evidence-based practices and international collaboration in promoting holistic child development, in addition to outlining the vast area of early childhood development assessment and offering crucial insights for educators and policymakers. The study’s findings point to a dynamic movement in early childhood education frameworks towards the integration of technology and holistic health views, providing a roadmap for future research and real-world applications.