What's This Episode About?

In this episode of the Early Education in the Age of AI podcast, I share easy to understand tips on how educators new to using AI can more effectively prompt generative AI assistants to get useful, accurate, and personalised responses that will lead to better outcomes for each child’s individual learning journey.

I introduce you to 2 frameworks in this episode that will help you boost your prompting skills (questions you ask the AI tool). I call them the EASE and REFLECT frameworks. I created these step by step frameworks to help all educators collaborate with AI tools simply while also ensuring you have steps to follow that make it easier to review responses you get back from an AI tool and then make necessary edits to retain your unique voice and expertise as the educator.

Through relatable examples across a variety of early education settings you will be familiar with like preschools, early learning centres and family daycare services together with practical advice, I walk you through how the EASE framework can guide educators in expressing their needs clearly, assigning roles to the AI, specifying desired outcomes, and establishing clear boundaries to make sure you get a response from the AI that is accurate and personalised to the needs of the educator and the child.

I break down how the REFLECT framework introduces a step by step process to help educators review, reflect, fact-check, draw on their professional judgement, edit quickly, consider individual needs, and think critically when working with any AI-generated content. By using these frameworks together and taking a little time to learn how to prompt effectively using the tips, frameworks and strategies in this episode , you’ll know how to make the most of AI chat assistants to support and speed up your planning, admin and documentation while also ensuring that your own observations, reflections, knowledge of the children, unique voice and professional expertise remain at the core of your practice.

The Quick Takeaway - Essential Learning

Why effective prompting is the key to getting useful AI responses - understand how AI assistants need clear, specific instructions to generate helpful suggestions, and learn the difference between vague prompts that waste time and detailed prompts that save hours

Master the EASE framework for crafting powerful prompts - learn the four-step process (Express, Assign, Specify, Establish) that ensures you get relevant, creative responses tailored to your specific early education needs and available resources

How to use fill-in-the-blank prompt templates for consistent results - get practical examples for activity planning, observation analysis, and resource gathering that you can adapt and reuse across different children and learning contexts

The REFLECT framework for preserving your professional voice - discover the seven-step process (Review, Examine, Fact-check, Listen, Edit, Consider, Think critically) that ensures AI-generated content reflects your expertise and knowledge of individual children

Practical strategies for editing AI content to sound authentically you - learn specific techniques for removing robotic language, adding personal insights, and ensuring documentation reflects your teaching style and voice

How to address concerns about AI use in professional settings - understand how to use AI ethically and meaningfully whilst maintaining professional integrity and demonstrating your commitment to quality, personalised education

AI Prompts You Can Try from This Episode:

Prompt 1: Activity Planning Using EASE Framework

EXPRESS: I need ideas for a play-based activity that helps my preschoolers develop their fine motor skills.
ASSIGN: Imagine you're an early childhood education expert who specialises in play-based learning.
SPECIFY: Provide me with a list of five activities that focus on fine motor skills development, along with materials needed and step-by-step instructions.
ESTABLISH: The activities should be suitable for a preschool room with limited resources and adaptable for children with different learning styles including [specific needs].

Use this when: You need structured, detailed activity ideas that work within your specific constraints

Why it works: Follows the complete EASE framework to ensure comprehensive, relevant responses

Prompt 2: Observation Analysis Template

I have collected the following observation information about a child named [child's name]: [summarise observation data]. The child is [age] years old. I am interested in learning more about the child's development in [specific developmental areas]. Can you help me analyse this information and identify patterns, trends, or areas where the child may need additional support or extension?

Use this when: You have observation notes but need help identifying developmental patterns and next steps

Why it works: Provides specific context about the child whilst asking for professional analysis you can build upon

Prompt 3: Learning Story Creation with Context

I observed a child named [name] [specific detailed observation]. She was very [observed behaviours/characteristics]. Can you help me draft a learning story that highlights [specific skills] and connects her learning to [relevant framework outcomes]? The learning story should be written in a clear, engaging style appropriate for sharing with the family.

Use this when: You want to transform detailed observations into professional learning stories

Why it works: Combines your observational expertise with AI's writing assistance whilst maintaining focus on individual children