Our Next Free Math Workshop is Coming Up on July 22nd

Solve for X — Real-Life Algebra Missions: Is your child ready to become a math spy? Join our FREE math workshop where they’ll take on top-secret missions that build their algebra skills. From planning a spy party on a budget to cracking codes on a race against time, you’ll learn how to solve for X like a true secret agent.

Have a Minute? Tell Us What Your Child Would Love to Learn This August in a Free Workshop!

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“Alexa, What’s AI?” How to Introduce AI to Young Kids

Has your child ever asked, “How does Alexa know everything?”

And in that moment, you had a choice: brush it off… or turn it into a moment of wonder.

If you pause and say, “Let’s think about that together,” you're doing something powerful.

You’re showing your child that technology isn’t just something to use, but something they can understand. That little spark of curiosity? It’s the first step toward helping them grow up confident in a world shaped by AI!

You don’t need coding classes or complicated lessons to get started.

For younger kids, it’s all about curiosity and play.

• Ask questions while using tools like Alexa or Siri: “How do you think she hears us?”

• Let them experiment with face filters or voice changers and talk about how apps “recognize” faces or sounds.

• Try playful, screen-based tools like Toca Boca or Sago Mini that blend storytelling, logic, and hands-on learning.

The goal isn’t to teach algorithms. It’s to raise curious question-askers. When your child realizes that technology is something real people create and control, they start seeing themselves as more than just users.

They start seeing possibilities.

So keep it simple. Keep it playful. And trust that every little “Why?” they ask now helps shape the future thinker they’re becoming.

Tech Meets Character: Guiding Kids Through AI and Ethics

Your 10-year-old already knows that YouTube recommends the next video, or that autocorrect tries (sometimes poorly) to fix a word.

But now they’re asking bigger questions.

“Why does it do that?” 

“Is that fair?”

And that’s your opening! Kids ages 9–12 are naturally curious about how the world works, and they’re ready to start exploring not just how AI functions, but how it affects people, decisions, and fairness.

This is the perfect time to shift from simply using tech to thinking about it. And the conversations you have now can shape how your child approaches digital life for years to come.

Here’s how to dive in at home:

• Build something together. Tools like Google’s Teachable Machine let your child train a model to recognize sounds, poses, or images. It’s a hands-on way to show that AI “learns” from patterns, not magic.

• Spark ethical discussions. Ask big-picture questions:
   • Should AI be used to grade homework?
   • What happens if it makes a mistake?
   • Is it okay for a robot to replace a teacher, artist, or coach?
  These conversations help your child build digital ethics and empathy, essential skills in an AI-driven world.

• Make it creative. Challenge them to write a short story or comic about a robot helper in the future. What problems does it solve? What could go wrong?

• Do a family AI challenge. Try QuickDraw: Can your doodle train a machine to guess what it is? It’s fun, fast-paced, and it gives a window into how AI interprets the world.

You’re not just teaching your child how to use AI; you’re helping them think critically, ask questions, and navigate technology with purpose.

And in a future where algorithms might guide everything from cars to careers, those skills will matter more than ever.

Forget Typing Class… Today’s Kids Need AI 101

AI isn’t just for Silicon Valley engineers or high school robotics teams anymore. It’s becoming part of the core skillset your child will need to succeed in tomorrow’s world.

In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, AI and machine learning specialists are among the top five fastest-growing jobs globally, and 65% of children entering elementary school today will work in jobs that don’t yet exist, many of them powered by AI.

But here’s the important part:

AI literacy doesn’t mean developing the skills to become a coder or computer scientist.

It means helping them understand how the tools they already use work & how to think critically about them - in any and every industry!

What does that look like?

✅ Knowing what AI can (and can’t) do.
Your child should understand that AI is a tool that learns patterns, but it isn’t magic, and it isn’t always right. That distinction helps them stay curious and cautious.

✅ Understanding the data behind the decisions.
From the ads they see to the songs they’re recommended, AI is shaping their world based on the data it collects. Helping them ask “Why am I being shown this?” gives them a digital awareness that will only grow more important.

✅ Staying human in a tech-driven world.
As AI grows more powerful, the uniquely human skills (creativity, empathy, ethics), become even more valuable. Teaching AI literacy now helps your child stay grounded, intentional, and confident as they navigate the future.

In a recent study by Gallup and Amazon, 78% of parents said they believe AI education is important, but only 47% felt confident in guiding their child through it.

That gap? That’s where you come in.

By helping your child develop AI literacy early, you’re not just preparing them for a competitive job market. You’re giving them the tools to become thoughtful, empowered creators and decision-makers in a world that will be shaped by the choices they make today.

So don’t wait for high school electives. The future is now, and your child is ready.

Last week, we asked:

When your child gets caught in the comparison trap, what’s your go-to approach to help them reset?

Here’s how you responded:
🟩 Encourage talking about feelings and validating them – Top response!
🟨 Model confidence by sharing your own struggles
🟨 Shift focus to personal goals and growth
🟨 Distract with unrelated activities or breaks

What stood out? Most of you lean into connection over correction. Talking through big feelings (and showing kids they’re not alone) was the clear winner. This reminds us that when kids feel seen and heard, they’re more likely to build resilience and self-worth.

Modeling confidence and sharing your own challenges also ranked high, reinforcing that your vulnerability teaches strength.

If you ever wonder whether those small, heart-to-heart moments matter, the results say yes. Keep showing up. Keep listening. It’s working. ❤️

We’re asking parents like you to share their thoughts on topics that matter each week! Cast your vote and see what others think! We’ll chat more about the results next week. 👀

Here are more tools to explore at home:

1. Teachable Machine – Train a model to recognize sounds, poses, or images

2. QuickDraw by Google – See how machines “learn” from your doodles

3. Piknik – An all-in-one subscription that gives your family unlimited access to a collection of award‑winning preschool apps from beloved brands like Toca Boca, Sago Mini, Originator, and PAW Patrol Academy.

4. ChatGPT for Creative Writing – Use it as a co-writer or brainstorming partner (with supervision!)

Plus, are you looking to build math and tech confidence?
Thinkster’s AI-powered math tutoring program blends real teacher support with personalized learning. Perfect for families raising future-ready kids!

Until Next Week…

Technology is moving fast, but your child doesn’t need to race to keep up. They need you to walk beside them, ask good questions, and encourage curiosity.

With a little guidance, they’ll grow up not afraid of AI, but equipped to lead with it.

Thanks for joining us in raising kind, capable, and confident humans. We’re so glad you’re here.

PS: Want to support your child’s learning journey beyond this week’s AI tips? Try Thinkster’s personalized math program for 7 days - FREE!

❤️ Loved this issue? Have thoughts, questions, or topic ideas?

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