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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
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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
Curriculum
Farm Implements: Learning About Tractors and Combines
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Project Approach: Resources for Teachers
Resource Lists
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Project Approach Resources
Curriculum Modifications
Tool Kits
National Organizations
Resource Lists
Developmentally Appropriate Practice 101
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Inclusive Practices and Remote Learning
Tool Kits
Carson’s Fishing Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Curriculum Modifications: Environmental Adaptations
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Curriculum Modifications: Introduction to a Blog Series
Blogs
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Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
The Sharing Pizza Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Universal Design for Learning and Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Selecting Useful Topics for Projects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Doing Projects With Families From a Distance
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
The Baking Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Math Is Everywhere
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Challenge Young Artists to Create in Three Dimensions
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Process Play and STEAM: Getting Started
Podcasts
Explore the Arts with Young Children
Resource Lists
Strategies for Developmentally Appropriate “Show and Tell” in Early Childhood Classrooms
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Language and Literacy in Inclusive Early Childhood Programs
Podcasts
Explore STEAM with Young Children
Resource Lists
Adjusting Pace and Location of Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Retelling “Caps for Sale”
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Busy with Blocks
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
The Pizza Project: A Delicious Learning Opportunity
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Filling the Trains
IELG Resources
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Videos
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Guidelines Videos
Mila Paints the Fence
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
The Tractor Project: Noisy Neighbors Lead to Investigation
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Project Work Engages Young Children’s Intellects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started
Tip Sheets
Project Approach for Preschoolers
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate
Tip Sheets
Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum
Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: The Trees You See
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Anticipating What Children Might Learn
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Geometric Thinking for Young Children
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Classification
Tip Sheets
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 3.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Following the Child’s Lead
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Two Approaches to Implementation of the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Merging the Project Approach with Other Curricula
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Organize High-Quality Professional Development on the Project Approach in Your Own Backyard
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Beginning a Center-Wide Commitment to Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Moving from Thematic Units to Projects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Journey into the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
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
