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Tip Sheets
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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.
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Tip Sheets by Series
PDF Collections
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Videos & 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
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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
The Legacy of Lilian Katz
26.B.ECa
Use creative arts as an avenue for self-expression.
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Music and Movement
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Imagination and Fantasy in Early Childhood
Resource Lists
Mozart Jazz Freight Train
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Creative Movement: The Flower Dance
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Out and About with Preschoolers: Visual Arts for Everyone
Tip Sheets
Time to Play, Time to Dream: Unscheduling Your Child
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started
Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Art Is All Around
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Music, Sound, and Movement
Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Learning Activity Kits
Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Physical Activities
Tip Sheets
What Puppets Can Mean to Children
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Out and About with Preschoolers: Close Up with Visual Arts
Tip Sheets
Make Room for Blocks!
Tip Sheets
Drama and Young Children
Tip Sheets
Young Authors at Work: Story Dictations
Tip Sheets
Toys from Throwaways: Let’s Recycle!
Tip Sheets
Toys from Throwaways: Boxes
Tip Sheets
Sing, Play, and Hear: Music’s in the Air
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Helping Preschoolers Represent What They Learn
Tip Sheets
The Power of the Pen: Drawing and Scribbling
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Geometric Thinking for Young Children
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: The Places You’ll Go!
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Science in the “Built Environment”
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Dancing on the Sidewalk
Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around
Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Art Works!
Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Follow Up!
Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!
Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children
Tip Sheets
The House Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Project Approach: Phase 3—Concluding the Project
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 2—Doing Fieldwork
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork
Tip Sheets
