What's This Episode About?

Are you struggling to find the right balance between planned intentional teaching activities and responding spontaneously to children's emerging interests throughout your busy day?

Many early childhood educators tell me they feel overwhelmed trying to implement intentional teaching effectively whilst managing all their other responsibilities, often forgetting great extension ideas or feeling uncertain about whether they're doing it "right."

In this episode of Early Education in the Age of AI, I'll show you how AI Assistants can become your personal educational assistant, providing instant activity ideas, reflection support, and confidence-building coaching whenever you need it most.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand exactly what intentional teaching means in practice and have ready-to-use AI prompts that generate personalised learning experiences based on your observations and knowledge of each child. 

Whether you're new to intentional teaching or feeling stuck in old patterns, I'll guide you through simple strategies for using AI to support both your planned activities and those precious spontaneous teachable moments that happen throughout the day. 

Press play to discover how AI can help you spend less time planning and writing, and more time actually engaging meaningfully with the children in your care whilst building your confidence as an intentional teacher.

The Quick Takeaway - Essential Learning

A clear understanding of what intentional teaching actually means - learn how this approach goes beyond just planned activities to include spontaneous, child-led moments where you intentionally extend learning through questioning and scaffolding

How to overcome common intentional teaching challenges - discover solutions for time management, balancing structure with flexibility, and remembering to follow through on extension ideas throughout your hectic week

Practical ways AI can support your daily teaching practice - understand how chatbots can provide instant activity ideas, analyse observations, suggest environment modifications, and even offer coaching support when you're feeling overwhelmed

Age-appropriate prompt templates you can use immediately - get specific examples for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers that help you generate personalised learning experiences based on your observations and goals

How to use AI for reflective practice and professional growth - learn how chatbots can act as your reflective practice partner, providing fresh perspectives and helping you plan meaningful improvements to your teaching approach

Ethical considerations and best practices for AI use - understand how to maintain children's privacy, verify AI responses, and ensure technology enhances rather than replaces your professional expertise and human connections

AI Prompts You Can Try from This Episode:

Prompt 1: Personalised Activity Generation for Specific Children

I've noticed that [child's name] [specific observation, e.g., "likes reaching for and grasping objects"]. What [developmental area] activities could I provide to encourage this emerging skill? Here are my recent observations: [insert observation notes]. Please suggest activities that align with [your framework/standards].

Use this when: You want to build on a child's specific interests or emerging skills with targeted activities

Why it works: Provides context about the individual child, ensuring suggestions are developmentally appropriate and personally meaningful

Prompt 2: In-the-Moment Extension Support

I'm observing [child's name] during [specific activity/area] right now. Here are my quick notes: [brief observations]. What scaffolding strategies or materials could I introduce in the moment to extend this learning? Focus on [specific learning outcome or skill].

Use this when: You're with children and want quick ideas for extending a spontaneous learning moment

Why it works: Gives you immediate, practical strategies you can implement without disrupting the flow of play

Prompt 3: Reflective Practice and Planning Support

This week I tried [specific teaching strategy or activity] with [age group]. Here's what happened: [brief reflection on outcomes]. What worked well? What could I improve? What strategies should I focus on next week to build on this learning?

Use this when: You want to reflect on your teaching practices and plan meaningful improvements

Why it works: Helps you gain fresh perspectives on your practice and generates specific, actionable next steps