Parents’ Guide – Quick Reference
File: parents-guide/05-quick-reference.md
◆ Purpose
AI is a compass, not a shortcut.
Parents guide the process, children do the learning.
◆ The Four Literacy Skills
✦ Diagnosis – Spot where your child is stuck.
✦ Decomposition – Break tasks into smaller steps.
✦ Prompt Engineering – Ask AI for guidance, practice, or explanation, not answers.
✦ Critical Evaluation – Check AI’s response against class notes and ensure your child explains it back.
◆ Example Prompts by Subject
▸ Language: “Explain the meaning of [word] in simple terms for a Grade 4 student. Give one example sentence.”
▸ Mathematics: “Show us how to solve a division word problem step by step. Stop after each step so we can try.”
▸ Science: “Explain the water cycle in simple terms and ask three quiz questions.”
▸ History: “Give us a timeline of five key events in South African history, suitable for Grade 7.”
▸ Geography: “Explain the difference between weather and climate, using examples a Grade 5 student can understand.”
▸ Art: “Explain what perspective means in drawing, using simple examples for a Grade 6 student.”
◆ Risks to Avoid
▸ Incorrect solutions: AI can be confidently wrong.
▸ Mismatch with class methods: May confuse children if different from the teacher’s approach.
▸ Assumed resources: AI may suggest materials not available.
▸ Passive use: Copying answers undermines learning.
▸ Narrow thinking: AI may give only one perspective.
◆ Checklist for Parents
Before Using AI
▸ Ask your child to explain the problem.
▸ Decide: is the goal to understand, practise, or review?
During Use
▸ Pause after each AI response and discuss.
▸ Encourage your child to explain back.
▸ Compare with class notes or textbooks.
After Use
▸ Check your child can solve a similar problem without AI.
▸ Ensure final work is their own.
▸ Reflect together: “What did we learn? How did AI help us?”
◆ Final Reminder
AI guides. Your child decides.
Parents are mentors, not answer-providers. Use AI to support curiosity, resilience, and independence.