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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
IL Early Learning Standards/IELDS
COVID-19 Parenting Pep Talk: (Re)focus on Positive Guidance
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Math Is Everywhere
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Music and Movement
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Exploring the Sensory Table
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
The Power of Open-Ended Questions
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
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
Lots of Dandelions
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Are You Being a Monkey?
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Maybe We Can Make a Road!
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
You’ve Got Blue Hands
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Look at It Go!
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Looks Swampy
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Pass the Ball Versus Pass the Remote: Supporting Preschoolers’ Physical Activity
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Get Growing With Your Young Children
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Explore the Arts with Young Children
Resource Lists
Language and Literacy in Inclusive Early Childhood Programs
Podcasts
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
Talking About Numbers and Letters
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Busy with Blocks
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
The Pizza Project: A Delicious Learning Opportunity
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Helping Young Children Develop Friendships
Resource Lists
Supporting Children’s Social Development: Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
Resource Lists
Imagination and Fantasy in Early Childhood
Resource Lists
Preschoolers’ Fitness and Growth
Resource Lists
Music for Preschool Children
Resource Lists
Phonological Awareness in Young Children
Resource Lists
Encouraging Literacy Development in Preschoolers
Resource Lists
Family Mealtimes: Benefits for Child Well-Being
Resource Lists
Supporting Resilience in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
Resource Lists
Supporting the Literacy Development of Diverse Language Learners in Early Childhood Classrooms
Resource Lists
Reading Partners: Sharing the Lead in Storybook Reading
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Going Camping
Parenting Videos
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Videos
The Doggie and the Shark
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Dual Language Use During Choice Time
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Where the Chick Came From
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
What’s in the Box
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
“She Goes First”: Cooperative “Housekeeping” Play
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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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
Keep It Moving: Playing With Hoops
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
An Engineer Changes His Mind
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Bouncing Balls
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Bethany Draws a Wheel
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
IEL Tip Sheets: Family Fun!
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Developmental Milestones, Infant Toddler Guidelines, and Early Learning Standards: Metrics for Young Children
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards: A Guide for Parents
IELDS Resources
Predicting: Helping Preschoolers Look Ahead
Tip Sheets
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 26.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
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