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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
Outdoor Activities
Nature-Based Preschool: Ideas for Your Classroom
Podcasts
Teaching and Learning about Insects
Resource Lists
Nature Play: Loose Parts Are the Best Parts
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
The Blue Bowl
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Lots of Dandelions
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
“Where Does the Water Go?” Investigating Pipes and Plumbing
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children
Resource Lists
Toddlers and Boxes: “Hi! Hi!”
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Building with Boxes
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Two on a Trike
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Straw Painting
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Shaving Cream
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Observing Chickens on the Playground
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
Getting to Know Rabbits
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Flubber
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Experimenting with Balance
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Exploring Trees on the Playground
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Exploring Sound on the Dam
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Climbing a Tree
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Bouncing Balls
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Learning Through Music and Movement
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
Go Outdoors and Explore: Build Upon Young Children’s Natural Curiosity
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Garden Project Sprouts From Simple Question: “What’s That?”
Project Approach
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Project Examples
“Mud-Luscious”: Some Thoughts on Messy Play
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Active Play Promotes Young Children’s Development
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
Playing with Sticks: A Childhood Tradition
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
The Worm Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Changing Seasons and New Concepts: Same and Different and Before and After
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Out and About with Preschoolers: Close Up with Visual Arts
Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: The Trees You See
Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers
Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children
Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Learning about Seeds
Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Water Works
Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time
Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks
Tip Sheets
Playground Physics: Watch for Falling Objects!
Tip Sheets
Playground Physics: On a Roll!
Tip Sheets
Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: The Places You’ll Go!
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Sunshine Science
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Dancing on the Sidewalk
Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities
Tip Sheets
Neighborhood Geography with Young Children
Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads
Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths
Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Rock On!
Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around
Tip Sheets
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