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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
Mathematics
Math for Preschoolers
Resource Lists
Make a Mess and Explore STEAM
Tool Kits
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Math Is Everywhere
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Explore STEAM with Young Children
Resource Lists
Five Things Children Gain from Puzzle Play
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Busy with Blocks
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Mathematize! (audio)
Podcasts
Mathematize!
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Mix and Count
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
“She Goes First”: Cooperative “Housekeeping” Play
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Sara Measures
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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
Magnets and Cars
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
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
Sorting, Classifying, and Organizing
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Making Sense of Numbers
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Discover Shapes in Many Places
Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Project Approach for Preschoolers
Tip Sheets
Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Let’s Measure!
Tip Sheets
Learning Math Words: Family and Caregiver Conversations
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
The Worm Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Math and the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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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
Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence!
Tip Sheets
Time for Preschoolers: Duration
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys
Tip Sheets
Predicting: Helping Preschoolers Look Ahead
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Word Problems for Preschoolers
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Real Graphs for Preschoolers
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: More Word Problems for Preschoolers
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: More Numbers
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Measurement with Young Children
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Geometric Thinking for Young Children
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Classification
Tip Sheets
Path to Math: Beginning Numbers
Tip Sheets
Math Sense: Learning about Coins
Tip Sheets
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 9.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 8.A.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 6.B.ECb
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
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IELDS Resources
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children
Tip Sheets
Learning Math Through Games
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Project Approach: Phase 2—Doing Fieldwork
Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Math
Tip Sheets
