A Beginner’s Guide to Using AI in ECE Programs Hailey Paschold March 5, 2026

This session is a hands-on introduction for early childhood education (ECE) professionals who are new to artificial intelligence (AI) or have experimented with it a bit.

We’ll move slowly, with step-by-step guidance, and you’ll practice using leading AI tools on real ECE tasks, including family and staff communication, activity and lesson planning support, and basic operations that can save you time. You’ll learn how to direct an AI tool so it produces useful work, and how to refine and verify the results so you can use them with confidence. We’ll also build simple habits that protect privacy and reduce errors.

This session is best for participants who are comfortable using email and web browsers.

Bring a laptop if you can. A tablet can work. Smart phones are not recommended for use in this session. You’ll leave with a basic understanding of the power and risks associated with the use of AI tools, along with a basic skill set to use this technology effectively. A resource list for continued practice and learning will be provided.