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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 and 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
Play
Block Play
Resource Lists
Weapons, Safety, and Pretend Gunplay
Resource Lists
Playdates
Resource Lists
Meetups for Preschoolers: Have a Great Playdate!
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Supporting Young Children’s Friendships
Tool Kits
Play
Tool Kits
Play Along: Following Your Child’s Interests at Home
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Nature Play: Loose Parts Are the Best Parts
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Keep Young Children Learning at Home During Trying Times
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
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
Maybe We Can Make a Road!
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
Pass the Ball Versus Pass the Remote: Supporting Preschoolers’ Physical Activity
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Drumming in the Kitchen
Parenting Videos
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Videos
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
Helping Young Children Develop Friendships
Resource Lists
Imagination and Fantasy in Early Childhood
Resource Lists
Children’s Play – More than Fun and Games
Resource Lists
Tech Time! Video Games and Young Children with Disabilities
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
You Made It
Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
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Videos
Let’s Get Up
IELG Resources
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Videos
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Guidelines Videos
A Big Tower
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Toddlers and Boxes: “Hi! Hi!”
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Papa and Wayne: A Simple Game With Baby
Parenting Videos
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Videos
Let Baby Play
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Going Camping
Videos
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Parenting Videos
The Doggie and the Shark
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Building with Boxes
Videos
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Parenting Videos
Learning to Get Along with Friends
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Two on a Trike
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
Experimenting with Balance
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
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Videos
Explaining Cradle Construction
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Climbing a Tree
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Cherishing Children’s Treasures Can Create Many Opportunities to Learn
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Time to Play, Time to Dream: Unscheduling Your Child
All Tip Sheets
Young Children Need to Play!
All Tip Sheets
Play With Your Toddler—Indoors
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
“Mud-Luscious”: Some Thoughts on Messy Play
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
Active Play Promotes Young Children’s Development
Culturally Responsive Practices
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Blogs
What Puppets Can Mean to Children, Part 2
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
Age-Appropriate Play for Young Children
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Making a Case for Play Around the World
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
Answering Questions About Your Child’s Special Needs
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Science Play with an Award-winning Toy
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
Make Room for Blocks!
All Tip Sheets
Games for All Young Children
All Tip Sheets
Toys from Throwaways: Boxes
All Tip Sheets
Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool
All Tip Sheets
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