Course Title

AI as Your Teaching Sidekick: A Creative Magic Toolbox for Early Childhood Educators

Lecturer

Dr Han Yiting

Lecturer’s Profile

Dr. Han Yiting is a lecturer at the Singapore Centre for Chinese Language, specializing in technology-empowered learning with a strong emphasis on educational technology and AI empowerment. Her research interests include educational technology, AI applications, gamified learning, learning motivation, and multimodal teaching. Before entering academia, Dr. Han taught Spanish, Chinese, and English in American middle schools and universities, making her a multilingual enthusiast with rich language teaching experience. Her multicultural life experiences keep her perpetually curious about the world.

Dr. Han excels not only in human communication but also in interacting effectively with AI, leveraging AI tools to enhance educational outcomes. In her teaching, she strives to break established rules and explore new possibilities and surprises. She believes that education is a journey of growth and transformation, and a space for open and free dialogue. Dr. Han looks forward to embarking on this enriching journey with her students, igniting the flame in their hearts and lighting the way forward.

Course Overview

As AI rapidly enters educational settings, many early childhood educators feel both curious and uncertain. Do teachers need to master complex technologies? Is AI truly appropriate for young children?

This workshop is not a technical training session, but a creative exploration designed specifically for early childhood educators. Beginning with AI-assisted teaching artefacts created by the facilitator, the session helps participants see that engaging, meaningful, and developmentally appropriate learning materials are already within reach.

Using examples such as digital picture books and multimedia songs, the workshop breaks down creative projects into manageable tasks and introduces carefully selected AI tools. Participants will learn how to make thoughtful choices about when and how AI can support different teaching contexts.

The session concludes by returning to the core values of early childhood education, inviting reflection on when AI may not be appropriate and which learning experiences must remain grounded in real human relationships. This workshop aims to support educators in navigating AI with confidence, creativity, and professional clarity.

Course Objectives

1．Reframe AI as a supportive teaching sidekick that enhances educators’ professional judgement and creativity, rather than replacing them.

2．Develop the ability to select appropriate AI tools for different teaching contexts and design meaningful, engaging, and age-appropriate learning experiences for young children.

3．Build confidence in experimenting with AI through hands-on, low-risk activities that feel accessible and non-technical.

4．Reflect critically on when, why, and whether AI should be used in early childhood education, with children’s learning, well-being, and relationships at the centre.

Take-home Course Resources

AI-empowered Teaching Tools

Slides