Early Childhood Education Journal
Springer Science+Business Media · NL · ISSN 10823301
SJR Q1
What the numbers say
More papers are appearing while average citedness has softened.
Annual output went from 35 to 256 papers. Submitting now means your paper will join a much larger volume of published work. Field-weighted citation impact moved from 6.70 to 5.28. If your priority is citation visibility, expect lower average citedness per paper. Early Childhood Education and Development rose from 34.4% to 44.2% of what the journal runs. Works on early childhood education and development are more likely to find topical fit here. Authors from CN went from 5.2% to 12.0%. There will be more peer and reader attention from authors based in China.
Citation metrics
SJR quartile
Q1
SJR score
0.96
Citations / doc (2y)
3.69
h-index
94
Based on the Scopus and OpenAlex citation graphs. We do not provide Clarivate’s JCR Impact Factor.
Output and citation impact
Whether citation performance keeps up as output grows.
PapersField-weighted impact
2018
35
6.70
2019
91
6.08
2020
118
4.42
2021
148
7.17
2022
148
5.04
2023
177
4.44
2024
213
4.50
2025
256
5.28
Topic shift
Share in the last 24 months (2024-09 – 2026-08) versus the previous 24 (2022-09 – 2024-08).
Rising
- Early Childhood Education and Development34.4%→44.2%+9.7%pPrevNow
- Parental Involvement in Education4.2%→6.2%+2.1%pPrevNow
Falling
- Child Development and Digital Technology13.7%→9.5%−4.2%pPrevNow
- Children's Physical and Motor Development3.7%→0.0%−3.7%pPrevNow
- Critical Race Theory in Education2.5%→0.0%−2.5%pPrevNow
- Reading and Literacy Development7.9%→5.4%−2.5%pPrevNow
- Family and Disability Support Research5.8%→3.5%−2.3%pPrevNow
Terms appearing more often
Wording in recent paper titles that stands out against the journal's own baseline.
ececpreschoolkindergartenchildcareteacherschildrenparents
Author countries
Last 24 months (2024-09 – 2026-08) against the previous 24 (2022-09 – 2024-08).
- US67.7%→49.7%−18.1%pPrevNow
- CN5.2%→12.0%+6.8%pPrevNow
- TR5.2%→10.7%+5.6%pPrevNow
- AU7.1%→9.0%+2.0%pPrevNow
- HK3.2%→6.5%+3.3%pPrevNow
- GB2.9%→5.1%+2.2%pPrevNow
Top 5 institutions
Top 5 institutions publishing in this journal, 2018 – 2026.
Recently published
20The 20 most recent papers — not the full list.
1
Article2026
Transitions in Early Childhood Education: Current Contexts, Policies, and Emerging IdeasEva Pölzl‐Stefanec*, Barbora Loudová Stralczynská
EducationSocial Sciences
2
Article2026
Clarifying Project-Based Learning in Early Childhood Education: A Systematic Literature ReviewKristina Lahe*, Rain Mikser, Maire Tuul, Eve Kikas
OAEducationSocial Sciences
3
Article2026
Between Competition and Creativity: A Qualitative Study of Chinese Kindergarten Parents’ Perspectives on Arts Education Under Educational CompetitionYiling Peng, Katy Ieong Cheng Ho Weatherly*
Visual Arts and Performing ArtsArts and Humanities
4
Article2026
Yoga Storytelling as an Active Learning Approach: Insights from Early Childhood Classroom PracticeSerap Sevimli-Çelik*
OAClinical PsychologyPsychology
5
Article2026
Eliciting Thinking in Early Childhood Education: Case Studies on Strategies of Chilean Teachers of 4–6-Year-OldsTatiana López Jiménez*, Valentina Toro, Sílvia Cavalcante, Deydi Saballa-Pavez, Rosa Colomina Álvarez
EducationSocial Sciences
6
Article2026
The Multiple Mediating Mechanisms Between Parents’ Work-Family Conflict and Children’s Problematic Media Use: The Moderating Role of Parent-Child Interaction QualityShaomei Li, Jie Zhang, Kaiyue Bi, Juan Zhou
Sociology and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
7
Article2026
Just by Listening to Her: An Investigation of Sofia’s Self-Initiated Musical Play at HomeMaria Papazachariou-Christoforou*
OAMusicArts and Humanities
8
Article2026
Balancing Job Demands and Resources: How Work Conditions Shape Early Childhood Teachers’ Professional Motivation and Teaching Self-EfficacyHyun‐Joo Jeon*, Jamie DeCoster, Emerald Emerald
EducationSocial Sciences
9
Article2026
Children’s Perspectives on Non-Sharing During Play: Meaning-Making and Solution Strategies of Five-Year-Olds in Preschool ClassroomsSalih Türkmen, Şeyma Türkmen, Somayyeh Soysal, Yılmaz Soysal*
OAEducationSocial Sciences
10
Article2026
Observing Object-oriented Play in Early Childhood: Unraveling the Complexity of Its Developmental TrajectoryElizabeth R. Wynberg*, Femke van der Wilt, Debby ten Hove, Annerieke Boland, Chiel van der Veen, Maartje E. J. Raijmakers
OADevelopmental and Educational PsychologyPsychology
11
Article2026
Reimagining the ‘Quality Interaction’ with Children: Early Childhood Practitioners' Experiences Pre- and Post-Pandemic in Southeast EnglandHayley Preston-Smith*
OAEducationSocial Sciences
12
Article2026
Parental Emotion Coaching and Internalizing Problems among Chinese Young Children: A Moderated Mediation ModelRuhua Wang*, Qian Peng*, Yujie Liang
Clinical PsychologyPsychology
13
Article2026
Moving Together: Culturally Responsive Movement-Based Learning in Early ChildhoodJulie A. Bell*
Developmental and Educational PsychologyPsychology
14
Article2026
Coaching in Early Childhood Pre-Service Preparation Programs: A Scoping ReviewPeji Kwajaleine A. Romo, Oluwatobi Mogbojuri, Michelle Hoover, Ayaka Kobayashi, Jacqueline Lopez, Bridget A. Walsh, Ann Medaille
Clinical PsychologyPsychology
15
Article2026
Correction: Evaluating the Be-Prox Anti-bullying program in Norwegian Early Childhood Education and Care Centers: Results from a Quasi-experimental StudyIngrid Kvestad, Kyrre Breivik, Anita Skogstrand, Françoise D. Alsaker, Mona E. Solberg
Social PsychologyPsychology
16
Article2026
Influence of Parental Emotional Regulation Ability on the Social−Emotional Competence of Preschool Children with Special Needs: A Dual−moderation Model Based on Caregiving Arrangements and Diagnostic CategoriesY Q Zhang*, Meng Su, Yanting Huang, Junlong Wang, Yingjiang Tan, Xinran Zhang
Clinical PsychologyPsychology
17
Article2026
Empowering Teachers Through Communities of Practice and Participatory Action Research: Reshaping Teaching Philosophies to Child-Centered ApproachesÁngela K. Salmon, Isabel María Gómez Barreto, Carlos Montoya-Fernández
Sociology and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
18
Article2026
Examining Differences in Teachers’ Beliefs About Play in Rural, Suburban, and Urban SettingsE Fox*, Kelly M. Purtell, Rachel E. Schachter, Maria Abdul‐Masih, Amy R. Napoli, Yuenjung Joo
OAEducationSocial Sciences
19
Article2026
Correction: From Conversation to Connection: The Power of Diverse Approaches to Building Parent Partnerships in Early Childhood EducationFay Hadley*, Elizabeth Rouse
OAEducationSocial Sciences
20
Article2026
The Subsidy Squeeze: How Child Care Providers Experience Benefits, Barriers, and the Eligibility Cliff in Categorical ProgramsDan Wang*, Amber Beisly, Sarah E. Connelly, Courtney Beers Dewhirst, Lisa White
EducationSocial Sciences
Most cited
20Top 20 most cited, 2018 – 2026.
1
ArticleCitations 2192021
Missing Early Education and Care During the Pandemic: The Socio-Emotional Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Young ChildrenSuzanne Egan*, Jennifer Pope, Mary Moloney, Clara Hoyne, C. J. P. BEATTY
OAEducationSocial Sciences
2
ArticleCitations 1832021
The Impacts of COVID-19 on Early Childhood Education: Capturing the Unique Challenges Associated with Remote Teaching and Learning in K-2Kristy Timmons*, Amanda Cooper, Emma Bozek, Heather Braund
OAEducationSocial Sciences
3
ArticleCitations 1612019
Play-Based Learning: Evidence-Based Research to Improve Children’s Learning Experiences in the Kindergarten ClassroomMeaghan Elizabeth Taylor, Wanda Boyer*
EducationSocial Sciences
4
ArticleCitations 1482021
Early Childhood Educators’ Wellbeing During the COVID-19 PandemicPatricia Eadie, Penny Levickis*, Lisa Murray, Jane Page, Catriona Elek, Amelia Church
OAEducationSocial Sciences
5
ArticleCitations 1442019
Integration of Augmented Reality in the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Early Childhood EducationBeatríz Redondo, Ramón Cózar Gutiérrez, José Antonio González‐Calero*, Raquel Sánchez Ruiz
Computer Vision and Pattern RecognitionComputer Science
6
ReviewCitations 1402021
The Effects of COVID-19 on Early Childhood Education and Care: Research and Resources for Children, Families, Teachers, and Teacher EducatorsMary Renck Jalongo*
OAClinical PsychologyPsychology
7
ArticleCitations 1392021
Digital Technology Usage of Young Children: Screen Time and FamiliesAhmet Sami Konca*
EducationSocial Sciences
8
ArticleCitations 1372018
Do Parents Prefer Digital Play? Examination of Parental Preferences and Beliefs in Four NationsNesrin Işıkoğlu*, James E. Johnson, Pool Ip Dong, Zhihui Qiu
EducationSocial Sciences
9
ArticleCitations 1162018
Integrating STEM into Preschool Education; Designing a Professional Development Model in Diverse SettingsKimberly Brenneman, Alissa A. Lange, Irena Nayfeld*
EducationSocial Sciences
10
ArticleCitations 1122019
Guidelines for Selecting Professional Development for Early Childhood TeachersRachel E. Schachter*, Hope K. Gerde, Holly Hatton‐Bowers
EducationSocial Sciences
11
ArticleCitations 1102020
Neglected Elements of a High-Quality Early Childhood Workforce: Whole Teacher Well-Being and Working ConditionsKyong‐Ah Kwon*, Timothy G. Ford, Alicia L. Salvatore, Ken Randall, Lieny Jeon, Adrien Malek-Lasater, Natalie Ellis, Mia Kile, Diane Horm, Sun Geun Kim, Minkyung Han
EducationSocial Sciences
12
ArticleCitations 1092021
Preschool Education in Turkey During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Phenomenological StudyBekir Yıldırım*
OAEducationSocial Sciences
13
ArticleCitations 1092021
Early Childhood Teachers’ Self-efficacy and Professional Support Predict Work EngagementShannon T. Lipscomb*, Kelly D. Chandler, Caitlyn Abshire, Jamie Jaramillo, Brianne H. Kothari
OAEducationSocial Sciences
14
ArticleCitations 1062020
Preschool Science Education: A Vision for the FutureRachel A. Larimore*
EducationSocial Sciences
15
ArticleCitations 1042021
Theories of Child Development and Their Impact on Early Childhood Education and CareOlivia N. Saracho*
EducationSocial Sciences
16
ReviewCitations 1012020
A Systematic Review of the Literature on Aspects Affecting Positive Classroom Climate in Multicultural Early Childhood EducationAndrea Khalfaoui, Rocío García-Carrión*, Lourdes Villardón-Gallego
OAEducationSocial Sciences
17
ArticleCitations 942019
Social Robots and Young Children’s Early Language and Literacy LearningMichelle M. Neumann*
OAEducationSocial Sciences
18
ArticleCitations 942020
Preservice Preschool Teachers’ Self-efficacy in and Need for STEM Education Professional Development: STEM Pedagogical Belief as a MediatorYaling Chen, Lee-Feng Huang*, Pei‐Chen Wu
EducationSocial Sciences
19
ArticleCitations 932020
The Prevalence of Risky Play in Young Children’s Indoor and Outdoor Free PlayEllen Beate Hansen Sandseter*, Rasmus Kleppe, Ole Johan Sando
OAPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational HealthMedicine
20
ArticleCitations 882021
Physical, Mental, and Financial Stress Impacts of COVID-19 on Early Childhood EducatorsNancy L. Swigonski*, Brandy James, Whitley Wynns, Kara Casavan
OAEducationSocial Sciences
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Data as of 2026-09-05