Write the note first
No prompt rescues a vague note. Two or three sentences about one moment, what the child did and said (in their exact words), and what happened next, is enough for any good draft.
Prompts · Any AI tool
Seven prompts that make any AI write a better learning story.
Whether you use ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini or StoryLoop, the same rules make a draft worth keeping: use only what was observed, keep the child's words exactly, link the curriculum only where the moment shows it, and leave the judgement to the educator. These prompts build those rules in. Copy them, replace the parts in square brackets, and keep names and identifying details out of any public AI tool.
Start with what actually happened: one action, quote, attempt, change, or question. A polished observation is never required.
StoryLoop drafts and checks. The educator reviews, edits, decides what is true, and chooses whether anything is shared.
Reviewed 27 October 2026 · Written by Leo, who builds StoryLoop, in Ōtautahi Christchurch
What StoryLoop does with a note
A rough note in, a learning story out.
A real note an educator typed, and the start of the draft StoryLoop wrote from it, unedited, with the Te Whāriki links, learning and next steps to follow.
Aroha tried to put her shoes on before going outside. Velcro kept folding over. Asked 'help me' then pushed my hand away and did the second one herself. Stood up and stomped both feet.
Putting on her own shoes
Before going outside, Aroha tried to put her shoes on by herself. The Velcro kept folding over, making the job trickier. Aroha asked, "help me", letting us know clearly that she needed support.
When help was offered, Aroha pushed the adult hand away and did the second shoe herself. Once both shoes were on, she stood up and stomped both feet. This looked like Aroha checking that her shoes were on and feeling the result with her whole body.
Now try it with your own note. No signup.
Type what you saw today. StoryLoop writes the draft here, with Te Whāriki or EYLF V2.0 links, and shows you exactly what it is built on. Use first names only: demo notes are not saved to any account and are never used to train AI.
No signup for your first try. Use a first name or initial only.
Your draft appears here, with curriculum links that only claim what your note shows, usually in under a minute.
Tip: what the child did, one thing they said, and what happened next. Three lines is plenty.
Want to keep it? Start free: 3 stories a month, no card. You check every word before anything is shared.
Ask for structure, not judgement
"Organise this note into a learning story" is safer than "Tell me what this child is learning". You were there. The AI was not.
Check every line
Delete anything you did not see, any feeling you cannot back up, and any curriculum link the moment does not show. The finished story is yours.
Prompt 1: the learning story
"You are helping an early childhood teacher in [New Zealand / Australia]. Using only the note below, write a learning story with these sections: the moment (what happened), the learning we noticed, curriculum links ([Te Whāriki strands / EYLF V2.0 outcomes], at most two, and only ones the note clearly shows, each with one sentence saying why), where to next (something a teacher can do tomorrow), and a short family link. Quote the child's words exactly as written. Do not add feelings, intentions, events or details that are not in the note. No diagnosis language. No praise words like amazing, wonderful or journey. Use [NZ / Australian] spelling. Note: [note with [child] instead of the name]"
Prompt 2: a next step that is actually a next step
"From this note, suggest three next steps for [child]. Each must name an action a teacher could take tomorrow (offer, set out, sit nearby, ask, give time), a material or space, and what to watch for. No generic lines such as 'we will continue to support their interest'. Note: [note]"
Prompt 3: check my curriculum links
"Here is a learning story and the links I chose to [Te Whāriki / EYLF V2.0]. For each link, quote the sentence in the story that shows it. If no sentence shows it, say so plainly. Do not suggest extra links. Story: [story] Links: [links]"
Prompt 4: a family-friendly version
"Rewrite this learning story for the child's family in warm, plain English, under 120 words, with no curriculum jargon. Keep the child's words exactly. End with one simple idea the family could try at home. Story: [story]"
Prompt 5: spot anything I did not see
"Compare this learning story with my original note. List every sentence in the story that is not supported by the note, including any feelings, intentions or events I did not record. Story: [story] Note: [note]"
Prompt 6: turn a voice note into a clean observation
"Tidy this voice-note transcript into a short factual observation of 2 to 4 sentences. Keep what the child did and said in order, keep the child's words exactly, remove filler words, and add nothing. Transcript: [transcript]"
Prompt 7: a group learning story
"Write a group learning story from the note below for [number] children, using placeholders [child 1], [child 2]. Describe what the group did together, one thing each child contributed (only from the note), one curriculum link the note shows, and a next step for the group. Quote children exactly. Note: [note]"
Before you sign it off
Every quote matches what the child said. Every link points to a sentence that shows it. Nothing describes a feeling you did not see. Nothing identifies the child beyond what your service allows. The next step is something someone could do tomorrow.
StoryLoop runs these checks on every draft and shows you the result, so you can see in one place what the story is built on and what to check.
Try it on a real note from your week. StoryLoop writes the learning story, usually in under a minute, with the child's words kept exactly. No signup.
Try a noteOfficial references
These sources inform this guide. StoryLoop is independent and does not claim endorsement.
FAQ
Straight answers for educators.
What is the best AI prompt for a learning story?+
One that tells the AI to use only what is in your note, to quote the child exactly, to name the framework (Te Whāriki or EYLF V2.0) and link only what the note shows, to avoid praise words and diagnosis language, and to end with a next step a teacher could do tomorrow. Prompt 1 on this page does all of that.
Should I put the child's name in an AI prompt?+
Not in a public AI tool. Use a placeholder such as [child] and add the name when you paste the story into your centre's platform. Both the OAIC and New Zealand's Privacy Commissioner recommend keeping personal information out of public generative AI tools.
Do these prompts work in StoryLoop?+
StoryLoop already works this way, so you only need the note. It checks quotes against the note, links the right framework, writes the next step and a family version, and lists what to check before you sign it off.
Does StoryLoop replace educator thinking?+
No. StoryLoop supports drafting and structure, while educators remain responsible for observation, interpretation, reflection, final editing, and sign-off.
Can I edit the generated stories?+
Yes. Stories are editable after generation and saved in history, so educators can add context, adjust wording, copy, export, or regenerate from the original observation.
Does it create generic AI stories?+
StoryLoop is designed to avoid generic, poetic AI wording. It asks for real observations, keeps claims evidence-based, and links curriculum only when the observation supports it.
How many stories are free?+
The free plan includes 3 learning stories per month. Upgrade prompts are dismissible, and existing history remains available even if the free limit is reached.