Webinar | Best Practices for Building AI Awareness in Young Learners

Description

GenAI is already shaping the world young children are growing up in, yet many educators and caregivers are still exploring how to introduce these concepts in ways that are meaningful, age-appropriate, and grounded in real life.

AI for Education recently hosted a session focused on this important question together with Dr. Nneka McGee, author of AI + Learning Differences: Designing for a Future with No Boundaries, published by Stanford Accelerator for Learning.

In this session, they walked through practical ways to help young learners begin to understand the AI-powered world around them, while keeping their developmental needs at the center.

Designed for early childhood educators, elementary educators, instructional leaders, school leaders, and caregivers, the session provided both foundational understanding and immediately usable strategies.

Participants left with a clearer understanding of why AI literacy matters in the early years, how to start age-appropriate conversations, and how to help children recognize AI in their everyday environments. They also gained access to ready-to-use activities to bring these ideas into practice.

Built around real-world relevance and developmental appropriateness, the session focused on making AI concepts accessible, safe, and engaging for young learners.

In this session, they:
• Built a clear foundation for AI literacy in the early years, helping participants understand why early exposure matters and how it shapes future learning
• Showed how AI already appears in children’s everyday lives, using relatable, real-world examples to make abstract concepts concrete
• Modeled developmentally appropriate approaches for introducing AI concepts through simple language, storytelling, and guided exploration
• Addressed balance, safety, and digital responsibility, ensuring children engage with AI in thoughtful and responsible ways
• Provided practical, ready-to-use strategies, including next-day activities that educators and caregivers can implement immediately

Speakers

Amanda Bickerstaff
Amanda is the Founder and CEO of AI for Education. A former high school science teacher and EdTech executive with over 20 years of experience in the education sector, she has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that AI can offer. She is a frequent consultant, speaker, and writer on the topic of AI in education, leading workshops and professional learning across both K12 and Higher Ed. Amanda is committed to helping schools and teachers maximize their potential through the ethical and equitable adoption of AI.

Dr. Nneka McGee
Dr. McGee is an educator, researcher, and advocate dedicated to creating or promoting access and opportunities for students navigating a future driven by artificial intelligence. She has served as an educator for nearly two decades. She taught middle school mathematics and was recognized as a district finalist for teacher of the year. Nneka has also served as District Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Director of GT and Advanced Academics, Executive Director for Learning and Innovation, and as a Chief Academic Officer.

As part of her doctoral studies, Dr. McGee researched the experiences of K-12 teachers implementing or planning to implement artificial intelligence in classroom learning environments. She has shared her work as a keynote speaker at events such as the NYSCATE Annual Conference and the Technology Leadership Institute. She has also served as a panelist or presenter at events sponsored by Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Teach for America, ISTE, Foundations, Inc., National Education Association, and the American Association of Publishers. She has contributed to publications released by the U.S. Department of Education, Digital Promise, American College of Education, and the International Literacy Association.

Most recently, Dr. McGee served as project lead and principal co-author of “AI + Learning Differences: Designing for a Future with No Boundaries,” published by Stanford Accelerator for Learning. Her latest work, “AI for Young Learners: Balancing Tech Use with Authentic, Off Screen Experiences,” was published as a Jump Start Guide by ISTE in January 2026. She also served as an AI practitioner advisory board member for the Engage AI Institute and was selected as an EdSAFE AI Alliance Fellow in its augural cohort.