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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 & 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
Science
Gardening with Young Children
Resource Lists
Precoding Activities for Preschoolers
All Tip Sheets
Precoding for Preschoolers
All Tip Sheets
Here a Chick, There a Chick!
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Science Exploration for Preschoolers
Resource Lists
Teaching and Learning about Insects
Resource Lists
The Squirrel Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Nature Play: Loose Parts Are the Best Parts
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Make a Mess and Explore STEAM
Tool Kits
Exploring the Sensory Table
IELDS Resources
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Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Lots of Dandelions
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
‘Look at Your Lines!’
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
You’ve Got Blue Hands
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
Look at It Go!
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Looks Swampy
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Get Growing With Your Young Children
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Explore STEAM with Young Children
Resource Lists
Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children
Resource Lists
Dual Language Use During Choice Time
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Where the Chick Came From
Videos
,
IELDS Resources
,
Benchmark Videos
What’s in the Box
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Talking about Waterslide Models
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Straw Painting
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Shaving Cream
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Sara Measures
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
One Morning in the Block Area
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
One Morning at the Construction Table
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Observing Chickens on the Playground
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Magnets and Cars
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Mack Reads His Book
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Learning about a Stethoscope
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Keep It Moving: Playing With Hoops
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Ideas about a Marble Run
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Getting to Know Rabbits
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
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IELDS Resources
Flubber
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Fine Motor Skills and Safety
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Exploring Windshield Wipers
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Exploring Trees on the Playground
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Exploring Sound on the Dam
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
An Engineer Changes His Mind
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Dustin’s French Horn Model
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Counting Chickens
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Constructing a Cradle
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
The Clock Repairman and His Tools
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Bouncing Balls
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Bethany Draws a Wheel
IELDS Resources
,
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
Air and Tires
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
Discovering the World of Insects on the Playground
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Sorting, Classifying, and Organizing
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Investigate Together
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Pour It! Stir It! Yum!
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Go Outdoors and Explore: Build Upon Young Children’s Natural Curiosity
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Garden Project Sprouts From Simple Question: “What’s That?”
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Play with Light and Shadow
All Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Learning Activity Kits
All Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Curious Young Scientists
All Tip Sheets
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Graphic Tip Sheets
Comparing Firefighter Coats
Videos
,
Benchmark Videos
,
IELDS Resources
The Worm Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Science Play with an Award-winning Toy
Blogs
,
Learning and Growing Together
Natural Illinois: The Trees You See
All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers
All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children
All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: Learning about Seeds
All Tip Sheets
Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts
All Tip Sheets
Encouraging Scientific Thinking: Rain or Shine
All Tip Sheets
CSI: Child Scientist Investigates!
All Tip Sheets
Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence
All Tip Sheets
Things Change
All Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Water Works
All Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time
All Tip Sheets
Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys
All Tip Sheets
Predicting: Helping Preschoolers Look Ahead
All Tip Sheets
Playground Physics: Watch for Falling Objects!
All Tip Sheets
Playground Physics: On a Roll!
All Tip Sheets
Playground Physics: Hang in There!
All Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Sunshine Science
All Tip Sheets
Out and About with Preschoolers: Science in the “Built Environment”
All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads
All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Mammals
All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths
All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Rock On!
All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around
All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Birds
All Tip Sheets
Natural Illinois: Insects
All Tip Sheets
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.B.ECb
IELDS Resources
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Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 12.A.ECb
IELDS Resources
,
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
Science Lesson Addressing Benchmark 11.A.ECf
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
,
IELDS Resources
Science
2013 Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS)
Math Lesson Addressing Benchmark 10.B.ECa
Adapting Lesson Plans to Meet IELDS Benchmarks
,
IELDS Resources
The Tamale Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Planning Ahead
All Tip Sheets
Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Science
All Tip Sheets
Project Work in a Program Serving Highly Diverse Communities
Blogs
,
Perspectives on the Project Approach
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Follow Up!
All Tip Sheets
Domain 4: Science Concepts & Exploration
Illinois Early Learning Guidelines: For Children Birth to Age Three (IELG)
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!
All Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children
All Tip Sheets
Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Deciding Where to Go
All Tip Sheets
Tools People Use
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Cow Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish…NEW Fish: A Preschool Fish Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
The Curious Child
All Tip Sheets
Cracks and Holes Project
Project Approach
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Project Examples
A Project on Trees: Suggestions for Teachers
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
The Horse Project
Project Approach
,
Project Examples
Project Approach: Phase 2—Doing Fieldwork
All Tip Sheets
Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork
All Tip Sheets
