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Tip Sheets
View 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.
Search IEL Tip Sheets by Keyword
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
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
The Legacy of Lilian Katz
Goal 31
Use social-awareness and interpersonal skills to establish and maintain positive relationships.
Playdates
Resource Lists
Emotional Development
Resource Lists
Teaching and Learning About Native Americans
Resource Lists
Supporting Children with Limited Verbal Skills
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Play Time
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Fighting Germs
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Smaller Group Sizes
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Arriving at School or Childcare
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Face Coverings
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Physical Distancing
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Returning to Childcare During COVID-19
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Helping Young Children With Disabilities During a Trying Time: Adding Structure and Routine
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Positive Guidance for Young Children: Be Thoughtful
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Positive Guidance for Young Children: Take a Break and Calm Down
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Positive Guidance for Young Children: Plan Ahead
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Exploring the Sensory Table
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Waiting to Paint
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
The Blue Bowl
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Are You Being a Monkey?
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Looks Swampy
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
“Where Does the Water Go?” Investigating Pipes and Plumbing
Project Approach
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Project Examples
How Teachers Can Help When a Child Says, “Mommy, I Don’t Want to Go to Preschool!”
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Busy with Blocks
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Supporting Young Children’s Friendships: An Interview with Dr. Michaelene Ostrosky
Podcasts
Helping the Shy Ones
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Helping Young Children Develop Friendships
Resource Lists
Supporting Children’s Social Development: Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
Resource Lists
Children’s Play – More than Fun and Games
Resource Lists
Family Mealtimes: Benefits for Child Well-Being
Resource Lists
Helping Young Children Resolve Conflicts
Resource Lists
Supporting Resilience in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
Resource Lists
Supporting Young Children with Challenging Behaviors
Resource Lists
Helping Children Develop “Impulse Control”
Tip Sheets
Tech Time for Young Children
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Two on a Trike
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
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Straw Painting
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
“She Goes First”: Cooperative “Housekeeping” Play
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
The Right Word: Conversation and Print During Pretend Play
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Please Pass the Water
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
One Morning in the Block Area
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
One Morning at the Construction Table
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Observing Chickens on the Playground
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Learning about a Stethoscope
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
Keep It Moving: Playing With Hoops
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Exploring Trees on the Playground
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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