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Stop 12 · Families · 42–45 min

Mirrors of the community.

Families are children’s first windows and mirrors. You’re not asking them to adopt technology or give it up; you’re inviting them into the questions children already ask, in the languages home already speaks.

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For parents and carers · 给家长

What happens in class, and what doesn’t

This site was made by Tim Pyles, a teacher at Dulwich College Beijing, for a workshop with early years teachers (ACAMIS 2026). If your child’s school uses these ideas, this is what it looks like.

本网站由北京德威英国国际学校的老师 Tim Pyles 制作,用于一场幼儿教师工作坊(ACAMIS 2026)。如果您孩子的学校采用了这些做法,课堂上大致是这样的。

In class · 课堂上会做的事

  • Children notice tools and devices people made, including electronic devices, using real objects and pictures. Here “technology” is broader than electronics.孩子们通过实物和图片,探索人们制作的工具和设备,包括电子产品。这里的“技术”不只指电子产品。
  • A pretend character like Dilon asks questions. Teachers always say he is pretend, and he always says goodbye.一个虚构的角色(比如 Dilon)会提出问题。老师会说明他是假装的,每次都会和他说再见。
  • Any screen moment is short and led by a teacher.屏幕时间很短,并由老师带领。
  • Children may photograph their own learning. Your school’s photo consent always comes first.孩子可能会为自己的学习拍照,但始终以学校的照片使用同意为准。

Not in class · 课堂上不会做的事

  • No chatbots or AI apps for children.孩子不使用聊天机器人或人工智能应用。
  • No accounts for children.不为孩子开设任何账号。
  • Dilon is voiced by adults or shown in a recording. He cannot independently listen, generate replies or remember information about your child. A story or plush may go home; no conversational service accompanies it.Dilon 的话由成人配音或通过录像播放。他不能自己听取信息、生成回答或记住孩子的信息。故事或毛绒玩具可以带回家,但不会附带聊天服务。
If your child talks about Dilon at home, that’s normal. He is a pretend character, like one in a favourite book. Children’s interests change at different times. If play brings sustained distress or affects everyday participation, talk with the teacher.孩子在家谈起 Dilon,可以是日常想象游戏的一部分。他是故事中的虚构角色。每个孩子的兴趣变化不同;如果持续感到难过或影响日常参与,请与老师沟通。

Questions? Ask your child’s teacher. 有问题请联系孩子的老师。

Questions to try at home · 在家试试这些问题

The same questions, at home

Is it technology?这是人们制作的工具或设备吗?
Where does our technology live at home?我们家的工具和设备放在哪里?
Two gentle hands.用适合自己的安全方式拿稳,需要时请大人帮忙。
Is it a person or something people made? Can a toy also be a machine?它是人,还是人造的东西?玩具也可以是机器吗?
How could we check?我们怎么查一查对不对?
Who made it say that?是谁让它这样说的?
Not sure? Let’s ask a grown-up.不确定?我们去问问大人。
Who could help us decide?谁可以帮我们一起决定?
You can say no to what it suggests.它推荐的,你可以不要。

Ask a colleague or family volunteer to check wording for your community before printing.

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Guidance for parents

Six small things families can do

Short enough for a newsletter, a WeChat group or the back of a photo that goes home.

1 · A home for technology

Give devices a place

Choose one spot where tablets and phones live and charge, and put them back together. It’s the same routine children practise with Dilon.

给电子产品一个固定的“家”。

2 · Two gentle hands

Carry it carefully

Ask your child to show a safe way to carry the device, with an adapted grip, mount or adult help when needed.

用适合自己的安全方式拿稳,需要时请大人帮忙。

3 · Talking toys and speakers

What never to share

Some toys and smart speakers (like Xiao Ai, Xiaodu or Tmall Genie) listen and connect to the internet. Adults decide whether these devices are appropriate and check recording, connectivity, privacy settings and access first. Help children avoid sharing their name, address, school or photos; responsibility stays with adults. In 2025 tests, some AI toys talked about unsuitable topics and recorded children’s voices (U.S. PIRG Education Fund, 2025).

不要把自己的名字、地址、学校或照片告诉或发送给玩具、智能音箱。成人要先检查录音、联网、隐私设置和使用权限。

4 · Pretend is pretend

Say goodbye to characters

Characters like Dilon are pretend, and talking toys are machines people made. It’s fine to love them and still say, “People made it say that.”

是谁让它这样说的?

5 · Look at their photos together

“Show me what you made”

When a photo of your child’s learning comes home, ask them to tell you about it. Then ask, “Is this picture okay to share?” If a photo includes other children, please don’t post it online.

能给我看看你做的东西吗?如果照片里有其他孩子,请不要发到网上。

6 · “I’m not sure, let’s check”

Model checking

When a speaker or app gives an answer, wonder aloud: “How could we check?” Look in a book, or ask someone who knows.

我们怎么查一查对不对?

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Say this, not that

Precise isn’t cold

Instead of…Try…
“It knows you.”“It uses what we chose before.”
“She’s listening because she likes you.”“The device can detect sounds. Adults check when it records or sends them.”
“Ask the robot.”“Let’s ask a person, and check a book too.”
“It’s really smart.”“It’s good at some jobs and gets some things wrong.”
“It’s happy you said thank you.”“People designed the system. Its words do not show that it has feelings.”

Warmth belongs to people. Machines need checking. Pretend friends like Dilon are openly pretend.

Family note · 家长便条

This week we played a technology hunt with Digital Citizen Dilon. Ask your child: “Is it technology? Where does it live?” At home, choose a “home” for one device together and practise two gentle hands. No new screens needed.

本周我们和数字公民 Dilon 一起玩了“找一找身边的工具和设备”的游戏。请问问孩子:“这是人们制作的工具或设备吗?它的‘家’在哪里?”在家里,可以和孩子一起为一件电子产品选一个固定的“家”,并练习用两只手轻轻地拿。不需要增加屏幕时间。

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A family session

Thirty minutes, one topic

DCB’s Sip & Support sessions follow a simple shape: monthly, about 30 minutes, one topic and a take-home sheet. For early years, the topic can come straight from your strand.

  1. Hello (5 min): meet the character, and the question children have been asking.
  2. Look (10 min): children’s printed photos and their own words.
  3. Try (10 min): one home routine, such as a device home or what never to share.
  4. Take home (5 min): a bilingual sheet with one question to try this week.
Mirror moves for teachers
  • Ask families which devices and voices are part of home life, and use their answers as your examples.
  • Invite a home-language word for “technology”, “guess” and “check”, and use it in class.
  • Share documentation of materials and children’s questions, never faces or names.
  • Expect different views. Some families embrace technology, some limit it. Both belong in a conversation about noticing and choosing.
Family note and guide (table kit)