Ask an Expert
A project is an in-depth investigation of a topic that is interesting to children. Projects involve hands-on investigation, finding the answers to questions, reading about the topic (or being read to), visiting sites or places, and talking to other people (adults and children) who know something about the topic. Projects also involve documentation—collecting information and preserving the experience by writing about it, taking photographs, or videotaping. This Ask an Expert discussion is related to doing projects at home. Read answers to questions such as, “How is a project different from the kinds of things I worked on at home as a child?” “How do you select topics for projects at home?” “What are the benefits of parents doing projects with their children at home?” “Are there some ways that doing project work at home will help my child be better prepared for school?” “Are there any special materials or equipment that I should have handy when doing projects at home?”
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The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.
The content of the IEL Web site does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education.
