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Tip Sheets
All Tip Sheets
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.
Tip Sheets by Keyword
Tip Sheets by Series
PDF Collections
Order Tip Sheets
Videos & Podcast
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.
Podcast
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.
Faculty Resources
Search IEL Resources
Project Approach
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 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
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
Language Arts
Surveys for the Win! Building Investigation and Language Skills
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Helping Young Children Get Ready to Read
Tool Kits
Exploring the Sensory Table
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
The Blue Bowl
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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!
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
You’ve Got Blue Hands
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
Get Ready to Read
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Retelling “Caps for Sale”
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Talking About Numbers and Letters
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Learn by Listening to Language: Build Phonemic Awareness Skills
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Dual Language Use During Choice Time
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Where the Chick Came From
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
What’s in the Box
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Two on a Trike
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Transitioning
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Tattoos and Teakettles: “Housekeeping” Conversations
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Talking about Waterslide Models
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Straw Painting
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
“She Goes First”: Cooperative “Housekeeping” Play
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
Shaving Cream
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Sara Measures
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Roland Draws a Garden
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
The Right Word: Conversation and Print During Pretend Play
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Please Pass the Water
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
One Morning in the Block Area
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
One Morning at the Construction Table
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Observing Chickens on the Playground
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Oats, Peas, Beans and Barley: Learning Through an Action Song
Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Benchmark Videos
Mozart Jazz Freight Train
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Mila Sticks With Art
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Mila Paints the Fence
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Magnets and Cars
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Mack Reads His Book
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Learning about a Stethoscope
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Ideas about a Marble Run
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Getting to Know Rabbits
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Flubber
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Explaining Cradle Construction
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
An Engineer Changes His Mind
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Dustin’s French Horn Model
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Drawing a Friend
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Creative Movement: The Flower Dance
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Counting Crackers
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Counting Chickens
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Constructing a Cradle
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
The Clock Repairman and His Tools
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
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Air and Tires
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Investigate Together
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Comparing Firefighter Coats
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum
All Tip Sheets
Young Authors at Work: Story Dictations
All Tip Sheets
Young Authors at Work: Literature Response Journals
All Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities
All Tip Sheets
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Social Studies Lesson Addressing Benchmark 16.A.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.A.ECb
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 6.B.ECb
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 5.B.ECb
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 4.D.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 3.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 2.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Language Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 1.C.ECa
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Language Arts
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
The Arts Lesson Addressing Benchmark 25.A.ECc
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Read!
All Tip Sheets
Developing a Class Album
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Getting Ready to Read and Write in Childcare
All Tip Sheets
