A Practical Reflection for Rabbis, Educators, and Jewish Family Engagement Professionals
Introduction: “Mom, What’s a Credit Check?”
I was home sick one day with my middlest kid—she was six at the time—and we were curled up on the couch watching In The Heights (thank you, Lin-Manuel Miranda!).
There’s a scene where a character can’t get an apartment because she doesn’t pass a credit check. My daughter turned to me and asked, “What does that mean?”
I paused.
Because to answer honestly, I’d have to explain credit scores, financial systems, the idea of trust, how records are kept, and how people can be denied things through no fault of their own. It wasn’t just one concept—it was a whole tangle of unfamiliar vocabulary, layered meaning, and emotional weight.
We were both sick – and I didn’t have the bandwidth—or the words that would make sense to a six-year-old.
So I asked AI to help me explain the scene to a six-year-old. And it came back with:
“A credit score is like a report card for grown-ups about their money choices. She didn’t get enough assignments yet—it’s not fair.”
I never would have gotten there on my own. But that sentence? It met my daughter where she was. It gave us shared language. We both nodded, felt a little more informed, and went on to enjoy the harmonies of that masterpiece with a better sense of what had just happened on screen.
Since then, I’ve often used AI as a thought partner when preparing to talk through big ideas with kids and families. It helps me customize my explanations—so instead of trying to simplify from my own adult framework, I can shape the conversation to meet learners at their developmental and emotional readiness.
And yes, sometimes I talk it out with a trusted colleague too. Especially for topics that are emotionally charged, ethically complex, or theologically delicate. But AI has become a powerful tool in my own thinking process—especially when I need help getting the words out of my mouth.
Try This Prompt: Your AI Companion for Teaching Across Ages
Here’s the simple but powerful prompt I use when preparing to explain a complex idea:
“I am preparing to explain the topic of [insert complex idea here] in a [ prayer service, early childhood, summer camp, etc…] setting. I want to enhance my understanding of developmental appropriateness, so please consider literacy levels, attention spans, social emotional development and cognitive development in each response. Help me craft explanations that are clear, engaging, and developmentally appropriate for: [insert age range or learner group].”
You can insert any specific age—“a 6-year-old,” “a 10-year-old”—or describe a group, like “a group of 3rd–5th graders” or “a multigenerational learning circle.”
And here’s the best part: you can request multiple answers for close age ranges. For example, ask for responses for a 7-, 8-, and 9-year-old to see how phrasing might shift—and choose the one that feels best for your setting. It gives you options and helps you think more intentionally about how to scaffold your language.
I use this regularly for big concepts like tzedakah, teshuvah, justice, holiness, grief, joy, freedom, or fairness.
When to Use This Prompt
This tool is especially helpful when you’re preparing for:
- Family or intergenerational programming (Shabbat, holidays, special events)
- Sermons, story introductions, or ritual explanations
- Jewish classroom lessons, both formal and informal
- Conversations with kids about real-world issues (from the Torah to TikTok)
- Curriculum or content creation across elementary and middle school
It’s ideal when you need to engage learners at multiple stages of development—or help other educators, clergy, or teen leaders do the same.
Why It Works
It reflects what we know about development—but leaves room for variation
While some kids begin using metaphor and abstract reasoning around 11 or 12, development varies widely, especially across neurotypes. Some learners are ready earlier, some later, and some need content delivered concretely even into adolescence. This approach doesn’t assume a fixed cognitive stage—it invites responsive, learner-centered thinking.
It centers understanding and connection
This prompt flips the lens: rather than asking, “How do I explain this clearly?” it asks, “How will this be received?” And that’s a subtle but powerful shift.
It helps you practice articulation
Even when we understand something deeply, explaining it clearly—especially in spoken, accessible language—can be a challenge. This tool gives us a chance to rehearse our clarity, and often gives us language we can build on.
It supports layered, differentiated teaching
Instead of offering “one version for kids,” this method invites us to see nuance among learners, even those who are close in age. It encourages us to plan for progression, variation, and growth—hallmarks of strong pedagogy.
Final Thought: Clear Teaching Starts with Clear Thinking
This prompt has become a trusted tool in my own prep process. It helps me slow down, rehearse, clarify, and connect. Not because AI is magic—but because it’s useful. It helps me think through how to meet real learners with real brains and real emotions, wherever they are.
If you try it, I’d love to hear how it works for you.
Let’s keep building meaningful, developmentally grounded, and beautifully human ways to share the ideas that matter most.
