Machine Learning for Kids: Baby Steps into ML for Babies

Introducing machine learning to kids is not that challenging as you think.

Kids can make wonders; many surveys and stats prove that the age from 5-15 is the best time for anyone in their entire lifetime to store as much data into their brain as possible. But the very idea of introducing them to such complex topics like AI and ML can be extremely terrifying. But worry not, we are here to help you take your kids into the world of ML.

Machine learning is definitely not as easy as teaching rhymes but we can make it fun. "Rome wasn't built in a day" and hence, make sure you don't dig deep into the topics like robots or automation. Start from the least bottom level, the scratch, start by taking an example of a toy car. Start by explaining how elements like the steering, gearbox, and clutch work in the car with certain mechanisms and now, introduce the car they see every day as a 'machine'.

Putting in simpler terms, the definition of a machine would be:

A device that does a physical task with certain orders. Some machines make communications easier like a phone. Other machines carry people from place to place like a car. Some others print documents like the computer. Other machines even talk with us and do the tasks assigned like a robot. All these are nothing but machines.

Let's make baby steps at the beginning instead of rushing. Now begin with the basic definition of machine learning.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is where these simple machines like a car, robot, etc are given access to user information called 'data' which is used by the machines to learn how to function all by themselves. In other words, it is simply getting a computer to perform a certain task.

What Does It Do?

After learning about machines and machine learning with live examples, the child will now be able to understand the fundamentals of ML. Now, this is the right time, start off with what it actually does.

Start with the basics like —ML is used for learning under supervision with a proper feedback/response. Playing games is supervised learning. As you keep in mind the rules to play, then execute and later, check your performance. The feedback you give yourself allows you to perform better the next time to play. Explain to them that ML just does this. It takes inputs and tries to improve with proper feedback.

Cite Some Examples

Show them live examples now, let them interpret the uses and applications of ML.

Smart Cars:

Smart cars detect the environment around them.  If they detect an object or a wall or some obstacle, they automatically take a step backward. Now, it happened so, because the car was taught to react like that. It was given commands and this itself sums up machine learning.

YouTube Recommendations

If your kid watches Five Minutes Crafts videos on YouTube, the following recommendations would all be related to art and crafts and hacks. Explain to them that this filtration process also happens through the very mechanism of machine learning as to what to view next and autoplay next.

Machine Learning as a Career

After giving such wonderful, lively yet crisp, and easy demonstrations, anyone kid would find the concept of ML quite interesting and if your baby child is somewhere around 12-15 years then try introducing them to the world of ML. Tell them the opportunities and how in dire need in the world of such amazing geniuses into ML.

We have so many platforms like YouTube which has tonnes of videos on ML. Online course platforms like Udemy, Coursera also offer courses on ML for kids. By fostering these ideas, introducing your kids to the world of ML, and making them excel into it is all made easy.