16 Empowering Young Minds: Integrating AI in Early Childhood Education

Name: Nicolette Keague

Presentation: Empowering Young Minds: Integrating AI in Early Childhood Education

Language of presentation: English

School: YCIS Chongqing

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88093384029?pwd=jazaakNZCaYeim962Jx1Wfwj42pe5b.1

Preparations before the session:

1. BeeBots (The schools should have these little robots as part of IT or EdTech)

2. PuppetPals2 (Download from app store)

3. Print 3 documents BeeBot grid mat (Click the to download)

Workshop Goals:

Understand AI in Education: To provide educators with a foundational understanding of artificial intelligence and its applications in early childhood education.

Explore AI Tools: To introduce practical AI tools that can enhance learning experiences for children aged 2-5.

Promote Human Interaction: To emphasize the importance of maintaining human interaction and emotional connection in a digital learning environment.

Engage in Hands-On Activities: To encourage educators to actively participate in activities that demonstrate the integration of AI tools in their classrooms.

Session Content Outline:

Introduction

What is AI?: A brief overview of artificial intelligence, tailored to the understanding of early childhood educators. Discuss its relevance in today’s digital age and its potential to enhance learning experiences.

AI in Early Childhood Education: Present examples of how AI is being used in ECE settings, such as personalized learning, adaptive assessments, and interactive learning tools.

The Evolving Role of Educators: Discuss how the role of educators is shifting with the introduction of AI, focusing on being facilitators of learning rather than sole providers of knowledge. Highlight the importance of nurturing social-emotional skills alongside digital literacy.

AI Tools to be Introduced

Interactive Storytelling Apps: Introduce apps like "Toontastic" and "Book Creator" that allow children to create their own stories, fostering creativity and narrative skills.

Language Learning Tools: Present tools like "Duolingo Kids" that use AI to personalize language learning experiences for young learners.

Robotic Toys: Showcase simple coding robots like "Bee-Bot" or "Dash" that introduce basic programming concepts while encouraging problem-solving and teamwork.

AI-Powered Educational Platforms: Briefly discuss platforms like "Reading Eggs" that adapt to each child’s learning pace and style.

Hands-On Activities

Activity 1: Story Creation with AI

Participants will break into small groups and use "Toontastic" to create a short story. They will brainstorm characters, settings, and plots, and then animate their stories using the app. This activity emphasizes creativity, collaboration, and the use of technology in storytelling.

Activity 2: Coding with Bee-Bot

Educators will engage with "Bee-Bot" robots. They will work in pairs to create simple pathways for the robots to navigate using basic coding commands. This hands-on experience promotes critical thinking, spatial awareness, and teamwork while demonstrating how coding can be fun and accessible for young children.

Conclusion

Reflection and Discussion: Invite participants to share their thoughts on the activities and how they envision integrating AI tools into their classrooms. Discuss the balance between technology and human interaction, emphasizing that while AI can enhance learning, the role of the educator in fostering relationships and emotional development remains paramount.