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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
Language Arts
Class Discussions
Resource Lists
The Science of Reading in Preschool: What Is Helpful in Pre-reading?
Podcasts
Learning Literacy Through Songs and Music
Resource Lists
Helping Young Children Get Ready to Read
Tool Kits
The Power of Open-Ended Questions
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Lots of Dandelions
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
‘Look at Your Lines!’
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Maybe We Can Make a Road!
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
You’ve Got Blue Hands
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Look at It Go!
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Resources to Help Serve Dual Language Learners (DLLs)
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
Choose Good Books That Accurately Reflect Cultures and Home Languages
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
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
Get Ready to Read
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
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
Maintaining Home Language Is a Great Gift
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
Bonding, Books, and Children
Resource Lists
Tattoos and Teakettles: “Housekeeping” Conversations
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
The Right Word: Conversation and Print During Pretend Play
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
One Morning at the Construction Table
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley: Learning Through an Action Song
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Magnets and Cars
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Mack Reads His Book
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Learning about a Stethoscope
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
Getting to Know Rabbits
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Exploring Windshield Wipers
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Bethany Draws a Wheel
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Scribbling as Early Steps to Reading and Writing
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Project Approach for Preschoolers
Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Music, Sound, and Movement
Tip Sheets
Encouraging Child-to-Child Conversation
Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy
Tip Sheets
The Gift of Words: Reading and Games
Tip Sheets
The Gift of Words: Conversation and Routines
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate
Tip Sheets
What Puppets Can Mean to Children
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum
Tip Sheets
Young Authors at Work: Story Dictations
Tip Sheets
Young Authors at Work: Literature Response Journals
Tip Sheets
What’s Next? Predictions at Story Time
Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks
Tip Sheets
Remember When …
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Helping Preschoolers Represent What They Learn
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Helping Children Ask Questions
Tip Sheets
Predicting: Helping Preschoolers Look Ahead
Tip Sheets
The Power of the Pen: Let Children Choose Writing Centers!
Tip Sheets
The Power of the Pen: Drawing and Scribbling
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities
Tip Sheets
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