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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.
COVID-19 Resources
Find resources, strategies, and activities to keep young children learning at home and at school during the COVID-19 situation.
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
1.A.ECc
Provide comments relevant to the context.
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Fighting Germs
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Arriving at School or Childcare
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Face Coverings
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Going Camping
Videos
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Parenting Videos
The Doggie and the Shark
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Dual Language Use During Choice Time
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
What’s in the Box
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Transitioning
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Tattoos and Teakettles: “Housekeeping” Conversations
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Talking about Waterslide Models
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Straw Painting
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Shaving Cream
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
One Morning in the Block Area
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Observing Chickens on the Playground
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Mila Sticks With Art
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Mila Paints the Fence
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Magnets and Cars
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Ideas about a Marble Run
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Getting to Know Rabbits
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Flubber
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Explaining Cradle Construction
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
An Engineer Changes His Mind
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Creative Movement: The Flower Dance
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Bouncing Balls
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Investigate Together
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach for Preschoolers
All Tip Sheets
Encouraging Child-to-Child Conversation
All Tip Sheets
The Gift of Words: Conversation and Routines
All Tip Sheets
Comparing Firefighter Coats
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate
All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children
All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts
All Tip Sheets
Encouraging Scientific Thinking: Rain or Shine
All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Mammals
All Tip Sheets
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.B.ECa
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Dealing with Distraction
All Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Follow Up!
All Tip Sheets
The Cow Project
Project Examples
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Project Approach
Cracks and Holes Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Music Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Horse Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
