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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
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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.
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
Safety
Strategies for Children Lost or Separated from Their Caregivers
All Tip Sheets
Lost or Missing Children
Resource Lists
Swimming
Resource Lists
Car Seats and Safety in the Car
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Planning Ahead: Preparing for a Safety Drill
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Safe Sleep
Resource Lists
Car Safety: In and Out of the Car
Resource Lists
Gunplay in Preschool: How Should We Respond?
Blogs
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Learning and Growing Together
Water Safety
Resource Lists
Meeting Basic Needs of Families Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Resource Lists
How to Talk to Young Children About Guns and Safety
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Weather Ready
Resource Lists
Weapons, Safety, and Pretend Gunplay
Resource Lists
Supporting Children Who Experience Community Violence
Resource Lists
Household Safety: Medications
Resource Lists
Childcare During COVID-19: Two Parents’ Perspectives
Podcasts
Childcare During COVID-19: A Teacher’s Perspective
Podcasts
Childcare During COVID-19: A Director’s Perspective
Podcasts
Caring for Children with Food Allergies
Resource Lists
What If … Questions About Face Coverings from the Child’s Perspective
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Play Time
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Fighting Germs
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Smaller Group Sizes
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Face Coverings
Graphic Tip Sheets
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All Tip Sheets
Keeping Healthy and Safe: Physical Distancing
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Childproofing Your Home
Resource Lists
Keep Young Children Safe in the Car
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Household Safety: Poisons and Other Hazards
Resource Lists
Lead Poisoning Prevention
Resource Lists
Supporting Resilience in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
Resource Lists
You Made It
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
The Step
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Pea Pod Rockers
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Filling the Trains
Videos
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Guidelines Videos
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IELG Resources
Fine Motor Skills and Safety
IELDS Resources
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Videos
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Benchmark Videos
SIDS: Back to Sleep
All Tip Sheets
Teaching Children to Avoid “Stranger Danger”
All Tip Sheets
Use Care, Imagination When Introducing New Snacks
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Playing with Sticks: A Childhood Tradition
Learning and Growing Together
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Blogs
Pets and Young Children
All Tip Sheets
Domain 4: Safety & Well-Being
Illinois Early Learning Guidelines: For Children Birth to Age Three (IELG)
Organized Sports and Young Children
All Tip Sheets
Preventing Lead Poisoning in Children
All Tip Sheets
What Makes a Good Toy?
All Tip Sheets
