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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
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
Project Approach
A Community Service Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
The Beach Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Project Approach Basics
Project Approach Resources
,
Tool Kits
The Bat Project
Project Examples
,
Project Approach
The Cleaning Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Baby Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Pasta, Pasta!
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Farm Implements: Learning About Tractors and Combines
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Exploring Project Work Through the Eyes of Toddlers and Twos
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Project Approach: Resources for Teachers
Resource Lists
,
Project Approach Resources
Recipes for Learning: A Baking Project
Project Examples
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Project Approach
The Squirrel Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Focused Explorations and the Project Approach
Blogs
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Perspectives on the Project Approach
Voting Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Carson’s Fishing Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
The Sharing Pizza Project
Project Examples
,
Project Approach
Universal Design for Learning and Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Selecting Useful Topics for Projects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Implementing the Project Approach in Inclusive Classrooms
Podcasts
Doing Projects With Families From a Distance
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Baking Project
Project Examples
,
Project Approach
Coaching Others in Implementing the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
“Where Does the Water Go?” Investigating Pipes and Plumbing
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Adjusting Pace and Location of Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
The Pizza Project: A Delicious Learning Opportunity
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
The Pumpkin Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Project Approach: Display and Documentation Techniques
Project Approach Resources
,
Resource Lists
Doing Projects at Home
Resource Lists
Project Work as a Context for Social Development
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Magnets and Cars
Videos
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Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Explaining Cradle Construction
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
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Videos
The Clock Repairman and His Tools
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Bethany Draws a Wheel
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
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Videos
The Tractor Project: Noisy Neighbors Lead to Investigation
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Discovering the World of Insects on the Playground
Project Examples
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Project Approach
Project Work Engages Young Children’s Intellects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Accreditation Renewal Sparks an Anti-bias Journey
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started
Tip Sheets
Project Approach for Preschoolers
Tip Sheets
How Do People Celebrate Birthdays?
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Garden Project Sprouts From Simple Question: “What’s That?”
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Making Preliminary Field Trips
Blogs
,
Perspectives on the Project Approach
Learning and Fun on Family Field Trips
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Including Every Child
Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate
Tip Sheets
The Worm Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Combine Project: Using a Museum Experience to Enrich Project Work
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Engaging Every Child
Tip Sheets
Thoughts on Project Work with Children Who Have Special Needs
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Math and the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
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