A SMART Framework That Can Unlock the Secret to Prompting

As a parent, you might wonder how to introduce the complex topic of prompting to your child in a fun and engaging way. The way I view ChatGPT and other LLM others is as if they were elementary school kids that grew up in a remote island with zero real world experience and interactions, but with an IQ of 1,000. The best way to go about it is to treat them as if you were talking to a child from a lost tribe somewhere - with precision, clarity and simplification.

How do we convey this technique, however, to children who are, well, children themselves. The answer lies in an old school language learning technique. Let's dive into how you can help your kids learn about AI and prompting using the SMART framework.

What is Prompting?

Prompting is all about asking the right questions to get the best answers from AI. Think of AI as a smart assistant that can help with homework, answer curious questions, or even tell stories. But to get the most out of this assistant, knowing how to ask questions effectively is key. That's where the SMART Prompting method comes in.

Introducing the SMART Prompting Method:

We’ve created an easy-to-remember framework called SMART to guide kids on how to ask questions to AI. Here’s how it works:

1. Simple:

   Encourage your child to keep their questions straightforward. Using clear, easy words and short sentences helps AI understand better.

   - Example: Instead of asking, “Can you explain the entire process of photosynthesis?” ask, “What is photosynthesis?”

2. Meaningful:

   The questions should be specific and to the point. This helps in getting more useful and precise answers.

   - Example: Instead of asking, “Tell me about science,” ask, “What are the three states of matter?”

3. Accurate:

   Using the correct terminology is important. This ensures that the AI understands exactly what your child is asking.

   - Example: Instead of asking, “What is the thing called that you use to see stars?” ask, “What is a telescope?”

4. Relevant:

   The questions should relate to the topic your child wants to explore. Staying on-topic helps in getting the most relevant information.

   - Example: If they want to learn about animals, ask, “What do pandas eat?” instead of, “What’s the capital of France?”

5. Timely:

   It’s best to ask questions that match your child's current level of understanding. This keeps learning fun and not too frustrating.

   - Example: If they’re learning about fractions, ask, “How do you add fractions?” instead of, “What are fractions?”

Getting Started:

Here are some simple steps to introduce your kids to prompting and AI:

1. Use Everyday Curiosity:

   Whenever your child asks a question, guide them to frame it in a SMART way. For instance, if they ask, “Why is the sky blue?” help them rephrase it to, “What makes the sky blue?”

2. Interactive Learning:

   Use kid-friendly AI tools or assistants (like Siri, Alexa, or even educational AI apps) and let your child ask their SMART questions. This practical experience can be very engaging.

3. Family Activity:

   Make it a fun family activity. Choose a topic of interest, and together come up with SMART questions. For example, if you’re planning a trip to the zoo, think of questions like, “What do elephants eat?” or “How long do giraffes sleep?”

Conclusion:

Teaching your kids about AI and prompting doesn’t have to be complicated. With the SMART Prompting method, you can make learning about technology an enjoyable and rewarding experience. As they develop these skills, they’ll be better prepared for a future where technology plays a big role. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to nurture their curiosity and critical thinking skills.

Start today, and watch your child’s world expand with every SMART question they ask!