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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
Family Life
Promoting Well-Being in Families Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Resource Lists
Meeting Basic Needs of Families Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Resource Lists
Community Outings
Resource Lists
Diverse Family Structures
Resource Lists
Let’s Talk About … Young Children and Family Structures
Tip Sheets
Supporting Children Through Challenging Family Situations
Resource Lists
Working with Interpreters
Resource Lists
Community Resources for Illinois Families
Resource Lists
Too Much Tech: Screen Time and Families
Podcasts
Supporting Children Who Experience Community Violence
Resource Lists
Refugee Families
Resource Lists
Teaching Your Child to Problem Solve
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
LGBTQ+ for Educators
Resource Lists
Helping Children with Big Feelings
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Supporting Siblings of Children with Disabilities
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Families, Social-Emotional Learning, and the Pandemic
Podcasts
Parenting During a Pandemic
Podcasts
Helping Young Children Understand Changing Holiday Traditions
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
COVID-19 Parenting Pep Talk: Make Time for Connection
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
COVID-19 Parenting Pep Talk: (Re)focus on Positive Guidance
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Helping Young Children With Disabilities During a Trying Time: Adding Structure and Routine
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Keep Young Children Learning at Home During Trying Times
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Positive Guidance for Young Children: Take a Break and Calm Down
Graphic Tip Sheets
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Tip Sheets
Positive Guidance for Young Children: Plan Ahead
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Positive Guidance for Young Children: Be Consistent
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Rights of Families Experiencing Homelessness
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Directory of Supports for Families Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Tool Kits
Drumming in the Kitchen
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Keep Young Children Safe in the Car
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Advocacy, Communication Important at Each Step of the Journey
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Diverse Families and the Transition to Kindergarten
Podcasts
Household Safety: Poisons and Other Hazards
Resource Lists
Get Them to School Every Day
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Going to Kindergarten?
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Try and Try Again (audio)
Podcasts
Toddlers and Tantrums
Resource Lists
Children’s Play – More than Fun and Games
Resource Lists
Sibling Relationships
Resource Lists
Family Mealtimes: Benefits for Child Well-Being
Resource Lists
Helping Young Children Resolve Conflicts
Resource Lists
Education and Parent Support for Families Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Resource Lists
Helping Children Develop “Impulse Control”
Tip Sheets
Papa and Wayne: A Simple Game With Baby
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Making Pizza Together
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Feeding Baby Brother His Carrots
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Birthdays, Holidays, and Family Gatherings
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
When Children Mourn
Tip Sheets
Helping Siblings Get Along
Tip Sheets
Time to Play, Time to Dream: Unscheduling Your Child
Tip Sheets
Making the Holidays Memorable and Meaningful
Tip Sheets
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