EPISODE 2: The Discovery Years (Ages 6-10)

Your child just finished their homework in five minutes using ChatGPT. Relieved or worried? Dr. JR, the Doctor of AI, and systems expert Dr. Jim Ford, break down the elementary school paradox: balancing powerful AI tools like Khanmigo and ChatGPT with core learning integrity.

We cover the Homework Time Collapse and the danger of cognitive offloading—why the struggle is non-negotiable for growth. Plus, we dive into algorithm awareness, ethics, and why checking the source is the ultimate AI literacy skill.

📚 What You'll Learn:

• Why fast answers stunt long-term memory.
• The difference: AI for understanding vs. AI for doing.
• How to play "Fool the AI" to teach skepticism.
• Your 4-step Family AI Homework Policy.

🛠️ Action Steps (Try This at Home):

1. Have the AI Honesty Talk about integrity.
2. Set one clear AI Homework Rule.
3. Check the YouTube algorithm together.

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Academic and Expert References

• Warschauer, M., & Xu, Y. (2024). Artificial intelligence for language learning: Entering a new era. Language Learning & Technology, 28(2), 1–4. (Cited for Professor Ying Xu's research on conversational AI, human-computer interaction, and the unique benefits of human conversation for language development).
• Xu, Y., Vigil, V., Bustamante, A. S., & Warschauer, M. (2022). "Elinor's Talking to Me!": Integrating conversational AI into children's narrative science programming. Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI '22). (Cited for Professor Ying Xu's observation that children were more engaged when speaking with a human partner).

Institutional and Research Reports

• Common Sense Media. (2023, November). K-12 Students’ Use of ChatGPT and Other Generative AI. (Cited for student usage statistics, impact on critical thinking, and homework completion data).
• Common Sense Media. (2024, February). Kids and the YouTube Algorithm. (Cited for statistics on violent, bizarre, and sensational content exposure via the YouTube algorithm).
• Khan Academy. (2024). Khanmigo for Teachers and Districts. (Cited for the design of Khanmigo as an ethical, non-answer-giving AI tutor).

Foundational and Policy References

• American Psychological Association (APA). (2025). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). (Reference for foundational concepts like encoding and retrieval in learning, as well as general APA style for non-retrievable sources).
• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations. Washington, DC. (Referenced for data on teacher and student AI usage and academic integrity policy issues).

💡 Try This at Home Resources

• The Family AI Policy: Printable guides for setting your family's boundaries.
• Books: Recommended AI literacy books for ages 6–10.
• Educator Scripts: Talking points for approaching your child's teacher about AI policy.