AI, otherwise known as Artificial Intelligence, is something we have all heard of by now. Whether it is new to you, or you are already familiar with it, it is important for educators to learn more about this type of technology as it can enhance your teaching and support your learners, ultimately making your life easier! I think it is safe to say that is something we all can appreciate; finding a tool that helps to tackle our to-do lists. According to Southern Methodist University (2025), "AI is technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy." What it comes down to is using AI to not only support learning in the classroom, but to find ways to create more personalized, efficient, and enhanced experiences for our students.
Using AI in a Kindergarten Classroom
So what can AI look like in a kindergarten or early elementary classroom? The opportunities are truly endless. Some examples that I will dive more into are differentiation, increased accessibility, and engagement and enhancing play. We know our youngest learners learn best through play-based and hands-on learning, so we must use AI meaningfully when implementing it into our classrooms. We want to support play and make the use of AI purposeful, all while meeting the needs of all students.
What I believe to be one of the most beneficial uses of AI as an educator is its' ability to differentiate instruction and create more personalized learning for all. AI can create activities or worksheets based on student needs, as well as create different ideas for centers or small group work that incorporate different skill levels and abilities. AI is also a great tool to create adaptations of assignments with built-in supports or modifications for those students with IEPs.
Here is an example of an activity created with AI using the following prompt:
"Create a center for a kindergarten class working on one-to-one correspondence with numbers up to 10. Include visual supports and tactile objects." The activity was called "Bug Catch and Count," where students use tweezers to place bug manipulatives into small jars to practice one-to-one correspondence and counting within 10. Below are pictures of the supports and ways to differentiate created by AI:
As you can see, AI created various supports for this one activity, including visuals, tactile objects, verbal prompts and cues, and even a challenge version. You can also add more specific supports and modifications for more diverse learners if needed.
Increase Accessibility
Another amazing feature of AI is its' ability to help reach more learners, specifically those with more significant needs, and provide them opportunities in education that they may not have ever had before. In special education classrooms, teachers are often left with limited tools to assist them in adapting curriculum to meet the needs of their students. With AI, we are able to help increase accessibility by creating communication boards for nonverbal students, create visuals such as schedules, first/then cards, token systems for behavior, and create alternate versions of assignments. Just a few examples include generating an assignment that involves matching pictures rather than writing, creating simplified or adapted grade-level texts, or creating songs or movement-based games. "AI technologies offer incredible potential to enhance the education experience for students, empowering them to reach their full potential," (Farrow, 2024).
*communication board created with chatGPT for students who are nonverbal or with communication needs
Another way AI can be beneficial in a kindergarten classroom is its' ability to increase engagement and enhance play. Again, this is so important as early education is built on play-based learning. We want to make sure we support that as we begin to find new ways to incorporate technology into the classrooms. I think sometimes educators who are not familiar with AI seem to have this fear that technology is "taking over" and will replace the play that our children thrive on so much. However, with research and the right tools, you will quickly learn that AI can do quite the opposite. As we know, "Play-based learning is a teaching approach where children explore, experiment, and discover through play activities - this method recognizes that children learn best when they're actively engaged and enjoying themselves," (Integrating AI with Play-Based Learning in Primary Schools, 2025). With the use of AI, teachers can enhance their dramatic play centers, create coloring pages or worksheets that include student interests, and help students brainstorm ideas for projects. AI can also create stories, images that go along with stories, videos, and can even create chants, poems or songs related to the unit or topic that students are learning about. Like I said before, the options are endless when it comes to using AI to support your classroom.
Here is a video you can show your students to help them learn more about Artificial Intelligence.
What are some ways you currently use AI in your classroom, or plan to use AI in the future?
As educators, we know how important play-based learning is in elementary classrooms, especially kindergarten. Hands-on learning is best, and our job is to continue to find new ways to allow children to learn to the best of their ability. One way to enhance learning in the classroom is through technology. According to National Association for the Education of Young Children (2019), "[Children] are curious about the world around them and about learning . . . Digital technologies provide one more outlet for them to demonstrate their creativity and learning," (p. 1). It is important to understand that integrating technology in a kindergarten classroom is meant to support creativity, learning, and play, rather than replace it. We don't need to over-complicate technology at this stage but rather keep it simple and purposeful. Technology in the classroom can be used for whole group lessons, small group instruction, assessments, and even peer collaboration. Another beneficial use of technology is its accessibility and ability to help teachers differentiate activities and lessons to meet the needs of all learners. Knowing and understanding the benefits of technology can help educators create more meaningful instruction for their students. "When teachers were provided with a curriculum that utilized video clips, online games, and apps to introduce and practice specific skills, and then used these resources in whole group and small group interactions to spark discussion and collaborative problem-solving, students learn more, teachers spent more instructional time focused on learning goals, and teachers felt more confident in supporting learning of the content," (Rosenfeld, 2022).
When teachers integrate technology into their lesson plans, they are enhancing learning by increasing participation and engagement. "Using devices like a computer, tablet, or other type of technology in your classroom can help turn traditionally dull subjects into interactive and fun activities," (Walden University, 2019, p. 1). Some examples of ways to integrate technology in whole group instruction include utilizing a classroom smart board with interactive games and tools, interactive read-alouds, educational videos to introduce new topics or expand on new vocabulary words, as well as brain breaks. One example of an interactive website often used in kindergarten classrooms is Starfall, a free online tool exploring many kindergarten skills including math, reading, and seasonal activities. This can be a great resource to use during morning meeting to complete a calendar activity, or to use when teaching counting or letter sounds. Tools like these encourage student participation, provide opportunities for turn-taking, communication and peer collaboration, and movement.
Technology integration in center rotations and small group activities can be extremely beneficial to a kindergarten classroom. If you are fortunate enough to have a classroom with iPads, there are many apps out there that support learning. Not only are they engaging for students but are also able to be differentiated, including many different levels and adaptations, including voice output, video examples, visual prompts and cues, and help buttons for extra support. Many educational apps are created to align with grade level standards and allow the teacher to create their online class of students, where they can decide which games or assessments are assigned to students. If they know a student has mastered a certain standard, they can assign a more challenging task to that student. If another student is struggling with a specific concept, that student can be assigned activities that will help them grow in that area. One free educational app that I personally love for kindergarten is Splash Math. This online tool is aligned with grade level standards and presents the assignments in a way that resembles a video game. Students remain engaged, all while working independently and enhancing their skills. When students are able to work independently, teachers are then able to work more one-on-one with students who need more assistance. If you are looking to increase peer collaboration and communication, you can also use educational apps as a partner activity. You can encourage students to work together to come up with the answer.
Technology can also be used for assessment purposes. Teachers can use technology to track student progress by taking pictures and videos, create online quizzes or assessments for data purposes, and use online tools such as AI or ChatGPT to create differentiated assessments for students with learning disabilities or special needs. Teachers can also use online tools such as those mentioned above to create data sheets for their entire class, as well as individual data sheets for IEP goals. Another way to use technology for assessments is to create exit questions at the end of lessons to see a quick snapshot of student understanding. This can be done using different web tools, such as Seesaw or Nearpod, where students can respond to teacher created questions. You can use artificial intelligence to help create endless assessment tools that are unique to your class needs and preferences.
Making Use of Technology in Early Childhood Education
This video shows the benefits of using technology in the classroom and provides best practices for how to incorporate it into education. Because technology is such a huge part of our lives today, we must prepare students in becoming familiar with technology, so that they can carry those skills throughout their education as it prepares them for their future. This video demonstrates the importance of how technology can enhance learning, allow for differentiation and support of different learning styles, as well as beneficial apps and using it to create a balanced curriculum for all learners.
What are some ways that you are currently using technology in your classroom? I would love to hear of the different ways educators are using technology to enhance student learning!
