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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
Order Tip Sheets
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
Disability
Anti-Ableism in Preschool: How Do We Talk About It?
Podcasts
Let’s Talk About … Young Children with Disabilities and Their Families
Tip Sheets
Sensory-Friendly Events
Tip Sheets
Community Resources for Illinois Families
Resource Lists
Big Tech and Small Children
Tool Kits
Curriculum Modifications
Tool Kits
The More We Work Together: Partnerships for Preschoolers with Disabilities in Childcare
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Supporting Children with Limited Verbal Skills
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
What Is Autism?
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Special Education and Inclusion in Early Care and Education
Resource Lists
Special Education Assessment for Preschool-Aged Children: Reviewing Results and Next Steps
Tip Sheets
Special Education Assessment for Preschool-Aged Children: Participating in the Assessment
Tip Sheets
What Is an IEP?
Tip Sheets
Special Education Assessment for Preschool-Aged Children: Referral and Getting Started
Tip Sheets
What Is Assessment?
Tip Sheets
Supporting Siblings of Children with Disabilities
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Inclusive Practices and Remote Learning
Tool Kits
Early Intervention: Resources for Families, Childcare, and Early Childhood Teachers
Tool Kits
Parenting During a Pandemic
Podcasts
Which to Choose? Universal Design for Learning or Accommodations
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Curriculum Modifications: Materials Adaptation
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Curriculum Modifications: Environmental Adaptations
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Curriculum Modifications: Introduction to a Blog Series
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Universal Design for Learning and Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Rolling with the Times: Updating Our Language
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Implementing the Project Approach in Inclusive Classrooms
Podcasts
Early Intervention
Resource Lists
Helping Young Children With Disabilities During a Trying Time: Adding Structure and Routine
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Supporting Young Children’s Friendships: An Interview with Dr. Michaelene Ostrosky
Podcasts
Speech Development and Delays
Resource Lists
Moving from Early Intervention to PreK: What Parents and Caregivers Want to Know
Resource Lists
Supporting Children with Autism in Child Care and at Home
Resource Lists
Tech Time! Video Games and Young Children with Special Needs
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Reading Partners: Sharing the Lead in Storybook Reading
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Connecting with Concepts and Skills
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Out and About with Preschoolers: Visual Arts
Tip Sheets
Birthdays, Holidays, and Family Gatherings
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Autism: Be Aware of the Signs
Tip Sheets
Scribbling as Early Steps to Reading and Writing
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Real Work: Preschoolers Can Help
Tip Sheets
Inclusion in Preschool Classrooms
Tip Sheets
The Gift of Words: Conversation and Routines
Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Physical Activities
Tip Sheets
Creating a Sense of Belonging in Preschool
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Answering Questions About Your Child’s Special Needs
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Small Child, Big Stress?
Tip Sheets
Thoughts on Project Work with Children Who Have Special Needs
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Chores and Children: A Time to Learn
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Changing Seasons and New Concepts: Same and Different and Before and After
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum
Tip Sheets
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