Directions and Emerging Trends in Teacher-Led Research on the Development of Communication Competences in Early Childhood and Primary Education

For teachers in pre-university education, the teaching career includes professional development stages marked by teaching degrees: second degree and first degree. The first degree certifies the practice of teaching at an advanced level, on a consistent basis, including teaching based on the exchange of good practices, reflection, and creativity, as well as showing interest in certain aspects of school practice which, through authentic and detailed understanding, can be improved. Thus, educational and psychological research provides the framework for the scientific investigation of educational phenomena. This study highlights the topics of interest addressed by primary and preschool teachers in the methodological-scientific papers prepared for obtaining the first degree, with a focus on the formation and development of communication competences in children and pupils. In the early cycles of education (preschool and primary), the development of communication competences represents a major goal of the educational process, in accordance with the National Curriculum. Oral and written expression skills, active listening, dialogue, the use of nonverbal language, and the development of digital communication are key benchmarks for the harmonious development of the child. The sample of our investigation consists of 149 papers written by preschool and primary school teachers during the period 2017-2025, in which we identified the main areas of interest, the most frequently used methodologies, strengths and thematic gaps, and proposed priority directions for future research. The research objectives were: 1. to identify the main themes addressed in studies on communication carried out by primary and preschool teachers. 2. to analyze the research methods and instruments used in these works. 3. to determine the frequency and thematic trends depending on the level of education (primary vs. preschool). 4. to formulate recommendations for applying research results in educational practice. The content analysis was carried out using a grid that included the following indicators: research theme, research objectives, methodology used, targeted level of education (primary/preschool), and results/recommendations formulated. The formation of communication competences in preschool and primary school children represents the foundation of the educational process, serving as the basis for all other areas of learning. Research conducted by teachers in their first degree papers demonstrates an increasing interest in the linguistic, socio-emotional, and digital dimensions of communication. However, there remains a need for more rigorous studies and an expansion into new themes.