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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.
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
Best Practices
Less is More: Finding Peace in Your Organized Classroom
Tool Kits
Quality in Early Childhood Education
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
National Organizations
Resource Lists
Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Tool Kits
Developmentally Appropriate Practice 101
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Inclusive Practices and Remote Learning
Tool Kits
Problem Solving
Videos
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Early Learning Moments Videos
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IELG Resources
Persistence, Effort, and Attentiveness
Videos
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Early Learning Moments Videos
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IELG Resources
FREE Professional Development Online for Early Childhood Educators
Resource Lists
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Play Time
Graphic Tip Sheets
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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: Face Coverings
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Physical Distancing
Graphic Tip Sheets
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Tip Sheets
Getting Your Child Ready to Return to Childcare
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
Illinois Organizations
Resource Lists
Positive Guidance for Young Children: Plan Ahead
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
An Introduction to Montessori Education
Podcasts
The Impact of Trauma on the Lives of Young Children (Part 2)
Podcasts
The Impact of Trauma on the Lives of Young Children (Part 1)
Podcasts
“Where Does the Water Go?” Investigating Pipes and Plumbing
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Pass the Ball Versus Pass the Remote: Supporting Preschoolers’ Physical Activity
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Choose Good Books That Accurately Reflect Cultures and Home Languages
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
Diverse Families and the Transition to Kindergarten
Podcasts
Language and Literacy in Inclusive Early Childhood Programs
Podcasts
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
Preventing That Summer Slide
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
Adjusting Pace and Location of Project Work
Blogs
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Perspectives on the Project Approach
Talking About Numbers and Letters
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Inclusive Early Childhood Programs: How One School District Creates a Place for All Young Children
Podcasts
Imagination and Fantasy in Early Childhood
Resource Lists
Best Practices for Infant and Toddler Care
Resource Lists
Tech Time for Young Children
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
You Made It
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Two Trains
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
A Tower Together
Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
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Videos
The Step
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Snack Time
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Pretty Up High
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Pea Pod Rockers
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Over Here
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Let’s Get Up
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
I Don’t Like That
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Filling the Trains
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Down There
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
A Big Tower
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Dual Language Use During Choice Time
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Learning to Get Along with Friends
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
One Morning at the Construction Table
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
The Tractor Project: Noisy Neighbors Lead to Investigation
Project Approach
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Project Examples
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