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Illinois Early Learning Project

Illinois Early Learning Project

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Rebecca Swartz

Dr. Rebecca Swartz, an early learning specialist for IEL, completed her doctorate in human development and family studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Rebecca’s research and outreach work focuses on infant-toddler care, home-based child care, and the social-emotional development of young children. Her goal is to help parents and early educators by providing evidence-based resources on child development and early learning.

mother speaking to child

COVID-19 Parenting Pep Talk: Be With Your Child’s Big Feelings

Learning and Growing Together
mom coloring with child

COVID-19 Parenting Pep Talk: Make Time for Connection

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
child playing with blocks

COVID-19 Parenting Pep Talk: (Re)focus on Positive Guidance

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Keep Young Children Learning at Home During Trying Times

Keep Young Children Learning at Home During Trying Times

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
child with mother in garden

The Power of Open-Ended Questions

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Get Growing With Your Young Children

Get Growing With Your Young Children

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Challenge Young Artists to Create in Three Dimensions

Challenge Young Artists to Create in Three Dimensions

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Five Things Children Gain from Puzzle Play

Five Things Children Gain from Puzzle Play

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
child playing with blocks

Busy with Blocks

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Try and Try Again

Try and Try Again

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Learn by Listening to Language: Build Phonemic Awareness Skills

Learn by Listening to Language: Build Phonemic Awareness Skills

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Feelings Are Fantastic (blog)

Feelings Are Fantastic (blog)

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Mathematize!

Mathematize!

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Super Story Time

Super Story Time

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Make Art a Part of Every Day: Focus on the Process

Make Art a Part of Every Day: Focus on the Process

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Pour It! Stir It! Yum!

Pour It! Stir It! Yum!

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Go Outdoors and Explore: Build Upon Young Children’s Natural Curiosity

Go Outdoors and Explore: Build Upon Young Children’s Natural Curiosity

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Cherishing Children’s Treasures Can Create Many Opportunities to Learn

Cherishing Children’s Treasures Can Create Many Opportunities to Learn

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together

About IEL

The Illinois Early Learning Project Web site is a source of evidence-based, reliable information on early care and education for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in Illinois.

Funded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

View IEL staff information, contact IEL online, or call (877) 275-3227.

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