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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 & Podcast
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.
Podcast
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.
Faculty Resources
Search IEL Resources
Project Approach
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 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
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
Project Approach
The Fire Truck Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Supporting Children’s Problem-Solving Skills in Project Approach Work: What is the Teacher’s Role?
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Capturing Investigative Wonderings
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Developing Project Skills through Everyday Investigations
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Surveys for the Win! Building Investigation and Language Skills
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Gaining Confidence in the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Food for Thought
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Topic Webs and Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Knowledge Versus Understanding
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Here a Chick, There a Chick!
Project Examples
,
Project Approach
Project Examples Table
Project Approach
,
Project Approach Resources
The Car Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
The Teeth Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
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 Approach
,
Project Examples
The Cleaning Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
The Baby Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
How Do I Submit a Project?
Project Approach
,
Project Approach Resources
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
Project Approach Resources
,
Resource Lists
Approaches to Early Childhood Education
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Recipes for Learning: A Baking Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Rearview Mirror
Project Approach
,
Project Approach Resources
The Squirrel Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Focused Explorations and the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Voting Project
Project Approach
,
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
,
Blogs
Selecting Useful Topics for Projects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Implementing the Project Approach in Inclusive Classrooms
Podcast
Doing Projects With Families From a Distance
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Baking Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Coaching Others in Implementing the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
“Where Does the Water Go?” Investigating Pipes and Plumbing
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Adjusting Pace and Location of Project Work
Blogs
,
Perspectives on the Project Approach
The Pizza Project: A Delicious Learning Opportunity
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
The Pumpkin Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
The Project Approach: Display and Documentation Techniques
Project Approach Resources
,
Resource Lists
Project Work as a Context for Social Development
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Legacy of Lilian Katz
Project Approach Resources
,
Project Approach
The Tractor Project: Noisy Neighbors Lead to Investigation
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Discovering the World of Insects on the Playground
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Project Work Engages Young Children’s Intellects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Accreditation Renewal Sparks an Anti-bias Journey
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach for Preschoolers
All 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
,
Project Examples
Making Preliminary Field Trips
Perspectives on the Project Approach
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Blogs
Project Approach: Including Every Child
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate
All 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
Giving a Project a Narrative Title
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Thoughts on Project Work with Children Who Have Special Needs
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Math and the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Project Approach: Helping Preschoolers Represent What They Learn
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Helping Children Ask Questions
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Anticipating What Children Might Learn
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach Definitions
Project Approach
,
Project Approach Resources
Documentation: The Basics, Part 2
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
A Multiage Project on “How Things Work”: An Unexpected Adventure
Blogs
,
Perspectives on the Project Approach
Documentation: The Basics, Part 1
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Tamale Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Cooking with Spinach
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Following the Child’s Lead
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Project Work in a Program Serving Highly Diverse Communities
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Project Approach and the CLASS Observation Tool
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Discussing Project Work with Children in Inclusive Classrooms
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Project Topics in Neighborhoods Where Safety Is a Major Concern
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Tools People Use
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Cow Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Displaying Documentation: Providing Supports for the Viewer of the Display
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Developing a Class Album
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Two Approaches to Implementation of the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Successful Long-Term Implementation of Projects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Merging the Project Approach with Other Curricula
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Up Up and Away: The Airplane Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish…NEW Fish: A Preschool Fish Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Organize High-Quality Professional Development on the Project Approach in Your Own Backyard
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Responding to Children’s Interest in a Topic
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Props, Teachers, and Projects: Engaging Learners in Representational Play
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Beginning a Center-Wide Commitment to Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Moving from Thematic Units to Projects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Question Table
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Flexibility and the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Curious Child
All Tip Sheets
Cracks and Holes Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
The House Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Journey into the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Projects that Strengthen Children’s Sense of their Communities
Blogs
,
Perspectives on the Project Approach
Materials for Representation in Project Work
Blogs
,
Perspectives on the Project Approach
A Project on Trees: Suggestions for Teachers
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Music Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Tips for Supporting Teachers’ Implementation of Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
How Many Projects per Year?
Blogs
,
Perspectives on the Project Approach
Informing Parents about the Project Approach
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Field Trips and Fieldwork
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Helping Children Take the Lead
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Evaluating Projects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Horse Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Project Approach: Phase 3—Concluding the Project
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 2—Doing Fieldwork
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork
All Tip Sheets
