AI & Me

AI & Me: Reception is a gentle, story-led early years resource that helps four and five year olds begin to understand technology, screens and clever machines in a safe, age-appropriate way.

This Reception volume does not ask young children to discuss artificial intelligence as an abstract idea. Instead, it begins where Reception children really are: with story, play, feelings, trusted adults and simple concrete language.

Across five short learning experiences, children explore three important foundations:

Some things are alive and some things are machines.
People, animals and plants are alive. They have feelings and need care. Machines can be clever, useful and fun, but they are not alive and they do not have feelings.

Screens can make us feel things.
A programme, game or video might make a child feel happy, excited, calm, worried or scared. All feelings are okay. The important thing is helping children notice those feelings and talk to a trusted adult.

Some things are private.
Children begin to understand that their name, home, face and family are special. If a game or screen asks for something private, they should stop and tell a grown-up.

Designed specifically for the Early Years Foundation Stage, AI & Me: Reception uses five brief story-led sessions, each intended for 5 to 7 minutes of focused whole-class or small-group time. The learning is then woven into continuous provision through the home corner, small world play, outdoor learning, mark-making, books and everyday conversation.

Inside this book you will find:

• Five complete story-led learning experiences
• Simple Reception key vocabulary
• Continuous provision ideas
• Observation and assessment prompts
• EYFS and RSHE foundation mapping
• A parent and carer letter
• An AI & Me at Home guide
• A governor rationale
• Progression guidance into Year 1

This is not a coding book. It is not a technical AI manual. It is a safeguarding-conscious, developmentally appropriate early years resource for helping young children grow up thoughtful, confident and safe in a world shaped by screens, systems and artificial intelligence.

AI & Me: Reception helps children learn one of the most important lessons of all:

Machines can be clever.
People can care.