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Tip Sheets
All Tip Sheets
All Tip Sheets are available in English and Spanish (español). Most Tip Sheets are available in Polish (Polski). Selected Tip Sheets are available in Korean (한국어), Chinese (中文 (中国), Arabic (العربية), Russian (Русский) and French (Français). IEL Tip Sheets are easy-to-read, one-page resources on a variety of topics of interest to parents and teachers of young children. You can also search Tip Sheets by Topic.
Graphic Tip Sheets
Graphic Tip Sheets are meant for busy families. Put them on your refrigerator, corkboards, or other common household areas as quick reminders of important activities you can enjoy with your family.
Tip Sheets by Keyword
Tip Sheets by Series
PDF Collections
Order Tip Sheets
Videos and Podcasts
Parenting Videos
These videos show some family activities that help infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children learn about the world. For each video we provide some background information, a transcript, and a list of resources about the topic.
Early Learning Moments Videos
The Illinois Early Learning Moments have been developed to assist infant/toddler care providers in implementing the strategies for interaction outlined in the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age Three (IELGs). Each Early Learning Moment includes a video, information about the area being covered, suggestions for creating an environment to support children’s development, and a series of questions to help you assess whether your everyday environment and interactions support the development of the children under your care.
Guidelines Videos
These videos were filmed in various child care settings. For each video, we provide some brief background information, a transcript, and a description of strategies teachers or caregivers used to help children meet standards in the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age 3. Having promised parents and the child care center that the children’s identities would remain anonymous, IEL has dubbed out any mentions of the children’s names in these videos. In the transcript and the introduction to the videos, we have inserted pseudonyms for the children.
Benchmark Videos
These videos were filmed in a variety of settings, including programs at public universities, community colleges, and private homes. For each video, we provide background information, a transcript, and a description of how various 2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development benchmarks are met.
Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to explore early childhood education topics on the go. The Illinois Early Learning Project will continue to add new audio content that can be streamed or downloaded to your device.
Standards & Guidelines
Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age 3
IELG Resources
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards
IELDS Resources
Illinois Learning Standards for Kindergarten
Kindergarten Standards Resources and KIDS Assessment
Blogs
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
Increasingly, children with developmental delays or disabilities attend child care or preschool programs where teachers may have limited information about how to include a child with special needs. Parents who have a child with special needs also may want to know more about adapting family activities to more fully include the child. View more blogs.
Culturally Responsive Practices
An increasing population of children entering child care or preschool who speak a home language other than English. This blog is intended to help parents and teachers support these children as they learn English and their home languages. View more blogs.
Learning and Growing Together
Children grow and develop rapidly in the first five years of life. Every day routines and playtimes provide rich opportunities for young children to learn. This blog explores practical and enjoyable ways that caregivers, families, and teachers can help children learn as they play and explore their world. View more blogs.
Perspectives on the Project Approach
View blogs by Lilian Katz, Sallee Beneke, or practicing early childhood directors. View more IEL blogs.
Learn More
Learning at Home Activities
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
The IEL staff has prepared a series of questions (and their answers!) on topics in early learning.
Resource Lists
These Resource Lists are related to popular topics and contain a wealth of information on early care and education.
Tool Kits
Our tool kits are designed to assist teachers and caregivers in their work with young children. The resources have been created as starting points for developing materials that address the individual needs of the children and families in their programs.
Faculty Resources
Search IEL Resources
Project Approach
Project Examples
Illinois Educators are invited to submit simple documentation of project work from their classrooms. IEL staff will help edit and publish your project! By sharing documentation of their experiences implementing the Project Approach, Illinois teachers can help each other learn new strategies and ideas for implementation.
Project Approach Tip Sheets
Blog: Perspectives on the Project Approach
View the most recent blog postings. View blogs by Lilian Katz, Sallee Beneke, or practicing early childhood directors.
Project Approach Resources
Infants and Toddlers (Birth To Age 3)
Getting Started with the Pyramid Model
Resource Lists
Recommended Practices for Working with Multilingual Families
Tool Kits
Orientation and Mobility for Young Children With Visual Impairments
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Orientation and Mobility
Resource Lists
Building Independent Skills in Young Children
Tool Kits
Topic Webs and Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Knowledge Versus Understanding
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Sing It! Chant It! Learn It!
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT)
Resource Lists
Swimming for the Ages
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Swim Lessons for Young Children
All Tip Sheets
Reggio Emilia-Inspired Classrooms and Programs
Resource Lists
What Is “Reggio Emilia Inspired”?
All Tip Sheets
Dining Away from Home with Young Children
All Tip Sheets
Handwriting for Young Children
Tool Kits
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
All Tip Sheets
Dealing with Ableism in Early Childhood Settings
All Tip Sheets
Additions to the Family: Help Young Children Prepare
All Tip Sheets
Food Allergies and Young Children
Podcasts
Creating Reggio Emilia-Inspired Classrooms
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Swimming
Resource Lists
Developing Strong Teacher-Child Relationships
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
AAC and Belonging: Communication and Friendships
Podcasts
Picky Eaters
Tool Kits
You Belong Here: Speaking Inclusively in Early Childhood Settings
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
The Car Project
Project Examples
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Project Approach
Car Seats and Safety in the Car
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Safe Sleep
Resource Lists
Car Safety: In and Out of the Car
Resource Lists
Water Safety
Resource Lists
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Resource Lists
Using Literature for Young Children to Address Difficult Topics
Resource Lists
Dental Health and Dentist Visits
Resource Lists
Homelessness: Research, Data, and Policy
Resource Lists
Pets for the Family and for the Classroom
Resource Lists
A Look at Young Children and Concepts of Gender
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Promoting Well-Being in Families Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Resource Lists
Meeting Basic Needs of Families Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Resource Lists
Block Play
Resource Lists
Weather Ready
Resource Lists
Gender Identity and Expression
Resource Lists
Weapons, Safety, and Pretend Gunplay
Resource Lists
Playdates
Resource Lists
Community Outings
Resource Lists
Assessment for Special Education
Resource Lists
Less is More: Finding Peace in Your Organized Classroom
Tool Kits
Recommended Books for Young Children, By and About Native Americans
Resource Lists
Project Approach Basics
Project Approach Resources
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Tool Kits
Minimalism in Early Childhood Environments
Resource Lists
The Cleaning Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
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