Digitizing Early Childhood Environmental Education: A Bibliometric Study

Abstract

The integration of digital tools in education has gained attention for enhancing engagement and interactivity, particularly in fostering environmental awareness in early childhood. Early exposure to ecological concepts can nurture environmentally conscious individuals equipped to address climate challenges. This study analyzes research trends on digitizing environmental education in early childhood from 1968 to 2023. Using the Dimensions database, 443 relevant publications were identified from 9214 documents, and a bibliometric analysis was conducted via VOSviewer 1.6.20. Findings indicate that research in this field remains nascent. Although digital technology was first mentioned in 1968, significant scholarly interest only surged in 2023, with a record 1,503 publications. Vietnam, Thailand, and South Africa lead in publications, while top institutions include the University of Johannesburg, Mahidol University, and Ho Chi Minh University of Social Sciences and Humanities. The study also identifies key journals, prolific researchers, and highly cited works. Keyword co-occurrence analysis provides deeper research insights. These findings emphasize the rising role of digital tools in early childhood environmental education. Integrating technology enhances ecological understanding and fosters environmental responsibility. Additionally, this study offers a comprehensive literature overview, guiding future research on digitizing environmental education.