Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Early Childhood Education

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is growing in the early childhood field. This symposium includes four papers addressing AI from different contexts: (1) Teacher educators examine early childhood students’ perception and use of AI tools to examine ethical and pedagogical students responses about AI use; (2) Childcare experts use online ChatGPT training sessions with early childhood administrators for support with daily administrative tasks; (3) Using a High Leverage Teaching Practice (HLTP) framework, preservice teachers used AI tools to create picture books related to multicultural understanding; (4) A theoretical paper describes the collaborative process between a teacher educator and practitioners for designing a developmentally appropriate EC curriculum. These papers contribute to the potential of AI offering developmentally appropriate support for early childhood educators.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Early Education and Child Development

Chair

• Lynn E. Cohen, Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus

Papers

• Navigating AI in Early Childhood Education: Ethical Challenges, Opportunities, and Implications for Higher Education Practice - Annie White, California State University - Channel Islands; Lauren Chase, CSU Channel Islands

• Utilizing AI in Pre-service Teachers’ Learning of Multicultural Instruction - Chenyi Zhang, Georgia State University; Lauren Margulieux, Georgia State University

• AI Education for Young Children: Considerations for Designing an AI Curriculum and Strategies in Early Childhood Education - Joohi Lee, University of Texas - Arlington

Session Organizer

• Lynn E. Cohen, Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus

Discussant

• Sohyun Meacham, University of Northern Iowa