By By: Dr. Okere, Joseph Ejimogu,
Dr. Ebe Onyekachi &
Dr. Obiukwu Kingsley
Abstract
The paper analyses the role of artificial intelligence in early childhood education in Nigeria. Through a comprehensive analysis method, the paper explored the artificial intelligence resources that can be utilized in early childhood education and their relevance in inculcating social, intellectual, and emotional skills to the child. It also examined the challenges to artificial intelligence education, analyze the content, curriculum, method of instruction and the pedagogic practices in early childhood education and made recommendations for the way forward. The findings of the paper reviewed that artificial intelligence tools if appropriately integrated with curriculum materials and sound pedagogic practices can enable teachers to provide enriching and engaging learning experiences to the child; and can also, promote digital literacy and the inculcation of social, intellectual and emotional skills in the child. It further found out that artificial intelligence tools such as intelligent tutoring system can provide personalized learning experienced to learners. The paper concluded that the utilization of artificial intelligence in education can transform the educational landscape of school children by developing valuable skills and competencies in them. However, the paper noted that this would require addressing the challenges of poor policy implementation and ethical concerns in order to ensure that artificial intelligence does not hamper individual freedom and ethical concern. Based on the findings, the paper recommended that artificial intelligence tools should continually be used in education because of its obvious benefits and that the Government and stakeholders in education should provide artificial intelligence tools for the teaching and learning process.
