Our Top 5 AI Parenting Hacks
Whether you fear it or embrace it, approach it with apprehension or enthusiasm, Artificial intelligence (AI) has planted itself firmly into our everyday lives. As with any new’ish technology, it can be intimidating and easy to assume it is “not for you,” too complicated, or flat out harmful. However, the reality is that AI is surprisingly accessible (and helpful). There are plenty of free options. It requires no download or technical expertise. In fact, the barrier to entry is low, considering you don't even need to know exactly what you're looking for! Don’t overthink it. Unlike scouring the internet with traditional search engines, there is no need to be precise. Start with a general question, and you can always follow-up with more parameters and criteria.
To demonstrate just how practical AI can be, we put it to the test, feeding Gemini (our AI of choice) five of the most common questions and concerns we hear from parents. The results? Let's just say, AI proved to be a surprisingly insightful educational consultant...
Here are some simple ways you can use AI to help you navigate some not-so-simple parent concerns…
Personalized Book Lists
As former teachers, voracious YA readers, and self-proclaimed children’s lit nerds, we value a high quality book recommendation. And also, we know first-hand how time-consuming and challenging it can be to find those “just right” books for kids, especially when you have a resistant (or voracious…) reader on your hands. There's just so much amazing children’s literature out there and so many online lists and well curated library shelves. AI, as it often does, offers a helpful launchpoint. Tell it your child’s interests, authors they like, genres they gravitate to, reading level and habits, identity (or identities you want them to explore)...you get the idea.
AI’s Response:
Gemini generated over 15 book recommendations, neatly organized by sub-genres – our personal favorite being “Adventure/Mystery (with some overlap in sports)” – with brief plot summaries. Some of the recommendations we found overplayed, but, hey, Louis Sachar’s Holes is a really good book!
The Test Prompt:
Can I have some fiction book recommendations for a current fifth grader who is reading at grade level? He loves graphic novels, but we want him to read more chapter books. He loves to play soccer and is very active. He does not have any authors he specifically loves.
Additional Tip: AI can be a little too thorough. While we certainly appreciated its multi-paragraph recommendation list (and unprompted justification for each), a parent looking to save some time may feel differently. Provide clear parameters, such as “5 chapter book recommendations” to narrow the scope.
Homework Routines
If homework is a nightly source of stress and frustration (for you or your child…) and it feels like you’ve “tried everything,” it may be time to enlist AI as your thought partner. AI can give some quick tips, and even step-by-step instructions, to help set up successful systems and routines at home.
AI’s Response:
Gemini provided 5 concrete tips, including a few of our first go-to professional recommendations, such as setting up a designated homework space together and chunking the work into very short tasks using a timer.
The Test Prompt:
My third grader hates doing her homework. She has a busy schedule and it feels like every night we are fighting to get it done. It should only take her 30 minutes, but instead it is an hour- long battle and she rarely finishes it all. Can you help me set up some routines that will support her in completing his homework with less stress?
Executive Functioning for Tough Transitions
Executive functioning skills – the mental processes that help us plan, organize, and execute tasks – are crucial for elementary schoolers. While all children are developing these skills, some particularly struggle with things like disorganized backpacks, forgotten homework, and following multi-step directions. If this sounds familiar, AI could be a valuable tool to reduce that transition stress and empower your child to be independent.
AI’s Response:
Gemini provided a structured approach with a customizable checklists and schedule, as well as suggestions for specifically timed schedules, music motivation, tips like having a “backpack zone,” and strategies for helping them build independence with the routine. We particularly liked this tool:
The Test Prompt:
My fifth grade kid always forgets their things at home and their backpack is disorganized. Every morning feels like a chaotic rush to get ready. They need to be out the door by 8:10AM. Can you help me come up with a schedule/routine and checklist for them so they can independently get ready for school without all the stress.
Additional Tip: While we are sticking to general, conversational prompts, there is no need for you to reinvent the wheel. You can feed AI a link to a calendar, existing checklists, schedules, spreadsheets, you name it, and it will create optimized personal resources that integrate all given information.
Brainstorming Writing Topics
Many kids who resist writing or struggle to produce much aren't necessarily opposed to writing itself; they simply don't know what to write. Whether it is writing that dreaded “reading reaction” for homework or engaging in open-ended journaling, task initiation can be the hardest part. AI can be your brainstorming buddy by providing open-ended prompts or targeted sentence starters tailored to specific tasks.
AI’s Response:
We are including this response in its entirety (below), because it demonstrates the concrete and practical nature of AI’s support, and is a testament to how the tool can be used, not to replace creativity, but, rather, jumpstart it.
The Test Prompt:
My second grader’s teacher told me she is having difficulty finishing writing work in school. She struggles to pick a topic and just stick with it. Her teacher suggested I get her a journal and encourage "free writing" at home to help her practice. Can I have 5 sentence starter suggestions to get her started?
"If animals could talk, I think my pet would say..." (This encourages imaginative thinking and allows her to connect with her own experiences.)
"The most surprising thing that ever happened to me was..." (Prompts her to recall interesting events from her life and explore her feelings about them.)
"If I woke up one morning and could fly. The first place I would go is..." (Sparks imaginative and adventurous thinking, letting her explore fantastical scenarios.)
"My favorite place to be is... because..." (Helps her focus on sensory details and explain why a particular place is special to her.)
"If I could invent a new holiday, it would be called... and we would celebrate it by..." (Encourages creative thinking and the development of her own ideas and traditions.)
Activities for Additional Practice or Enrichment
If you feel you are constantly searching and asking for enriching at-home activities to supplement your child's learning, it may be time to turn to that AI shortcut. Whether your child’s teacher has suggested extra practice or they are simply breezing through schoolwork and craving more of a challenge, AI can help pinpoint some easy and free targeted resources.
AI’s Response
AI is not the greatest problem writer, or activity generator, but it is a strong resource gatherer. Gemini divided its recommendations into websites and books. And, as with the homework help recommendations, perhaps unsurprisingly, the first three websites on the list are three we recommend to families for math enrichment. Gemini even provided guidance of where to navigate on each site for this specific child.
The Test Prompt:
Where should I look to find engaging and fun, open-ended, math tasks for a third grade student who is not challenged enough in school?
AI is a Science, Parenting is an Art
Gemini can offer a solid foundation, a helpful starting point, and a welcome antidote to parental decision fatigue. But, don’t worry, there is no need to fear a dystopian reality of parenting robots. AI does not (and cannot) know your child. It can't implement its own recommendations, offer a congratulatory high-five after a small victory, or recognize the subtle furrow of a brow after a tough day. AI can't parent. What it can do, as our small experiment has shown, is provide a valuable resource, a springboard for ideas, and a way to alleviate some of the mental load that comes with parenting. In short, AI can be another powerful tool in your ever-growing parenting toolbox.
When AI falls short, BetterEd is here for that personalized support. You know your child, we know education. Sign up for a consultation below or contact us for more information.