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Illinois Early Learning Project

Illinois Early Learning Project

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  • Videos
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  • Standards & Guidelines
    • Illinois Early Learning Guidelines for Children Birth to Age 3
    • 2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards
    • Illinois Learning Standards for Kindergarten
  • Project Approach
    • Project Guides
    • Project Examples
    • Lesson Planning in the Context of Projects
    • Project Approach Tip Sheets
    • Blog: Perspectives on the Project Approach
    • Project Approach Definitions
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    • Related Project Approach Research
    • The Legacy of Lilian Katz
  • Blogs
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    • Dual Language Learners
    • Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
    • Perspectives on the Project Approach
  • More Resources
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    • Learning at Home Activities
    • Resource Lists
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    • Questions and Answers (Q&A)
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Outdoor Activities

child working on a project

Bird’s Nest of Sticks

Learning at Home Activities
child watching clouds

Binoculars

Learning at Home Activities
child painting

Painting with Nature!

Learning at Home Activities
Pet Rocks!

Pet Rocks!

Learning at Home Activities
child watching clouds

Watch the Clouds!

Learning at Home Activities
chalk

Pictionary on the Driveway!

Learning at Home Activities
dad in business suit walking with daughter in metro area

Go for a Walk!

Learning at Home Activities
mom and toddler at the beach

Go to the Beach! From Home…

Learning at Home Activities
two boys with bubbles

Fun With Bubbles!

Learning at Home Activities
children working on project

Fun with Sticks!

Learning at Home Activities
child carrying blue tub

The Blue Bowl

Benchmark Videos
child standing outdoors holding dandelion

Lots of Dandelions

Benchmark Videos
Child with water pipe

“Where Does the Water Go?” Investigating Pipes and Plumbing

Project Approach, Project Examples
Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children

Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children

Resource Lists
Cracks and Holes Project

Cracks and Holes Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
The Worm Project

The Worm Project

Project Approach, Project Examples
Garden Project Sprouts From Simple Question: “What’s That?”

Garden Project Sprouts From Simple Question: “What’s That?”

Project Approach, Project Examples
All About Gardens

All About Gardens

Project Approach, Project Guides
Changes in the Trees around Us

Changes in the Trees around Us

Project Approach, Project Guides
Toddlers and Boxes: “Hi! Hi!"

Toddlers and Boxes: “Hi! Hi!”

Parenting Videos
Building with Boxes

Building with Boxes

Parenting Videos
Two on a Trike

Two on a Trike

Benchmark Videos
Straw Painting

Straw Painting

Benchmark Videos
Shaving Cream

Shaving Cream

Benchmark Videos
Observing Chickens on the Playground

Observing Chickens on the Playground

Benchmark Videos
Mila Paints the Fence

Mila Paints the Fence

Benchmark Videos
Getting to Know Rabbits

Getting to Know Rabbits

Benchmark Videos
Flubber

Flubber

Benchmark Videos
Experimenting with Balance

Experimenting with Balance

Benchmark Videos
Exploring Trees on the Playground

Exploring Trees on the Playground

Benchmark Videos
Exploring Sound on the Dam

Exploring Sound on the Dam

Benchmark Videos
Climbing a Tree

Climbing a Tree

Benchmark Videos
Bouncing Balls

Bouncing Balls

Benchmark Videos
Learning Through Music and Movement

Learning Through Music and Movement

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Go Outdoors and Explore: Build Upon Young Children’s Natural Curiosity

Go Outdoors and Explore: Build Upon Young Children’s Natural Curiosity

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
“Mud-Luscious”: Some Thoughts on Messy Play

“Mud-Luscious”: Some Thoughts on Messy Play

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
Active Play Promotes Young Children’s Development

Active Play Promotes Young Children’s Development

Blogs, Dual Language Learners
Playing with Sticks: A Childhood Tradition

Playing with Sticks: A Childhood Tradition

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
chalk

Out and About with Preschoolers: Close Up with Visual Arts

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
boy with watering can

Say Yes to the Mess! Water Works

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time

Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Playground Physics: Watch for Falling Objects!

Playground Physics: Watch for Falling Objects!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
children playing with balls

Playground Physics: On a Roll!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool

Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
child walking on sidewalk

Out and About with Preschoolers: The Places You’ll Go!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Out and About with Preschoolers: Sunshine Science

Out and About with Preschoolers: Sunshine Science

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music

Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Out and About with Preschoolers: Dancing on the Sidewalk

Out and About with Preschoolers: Dancing on the Sidewalk

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities

Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
dad in business suit walking with daughter in metro area

Neighborhood Geography with Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads

Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Rock On!

Natural Illinois: Rock On!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Birds

Natural Illinois: Birds

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Natural Illinois: Insects

Natural Illinois: Insects

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
Outdoor Play: Weather or Not

Outdoor Play: Weather or Not

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Planning Ahead

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Planning Ahead

Tip Sheets
children working on project

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Follow Up!

Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Deciding Where to Go

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Deciding Where to Go

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks
number toys

Learning Math Through Games

Blogs, Learning and Growing Together
A Project on Trees: Suggestions for Teachers

A Project on Trees: Suggestions for Teachers

Blogs, Perspectives on the Project Approach

About IEL

The Illinois Early Learning Project Web site is a source of evidence-based, reliable information on early care and education for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children in Illinois.

Funded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

View IEL staff information, contact IEL online, or call (877) 275-3227.

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