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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
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Tip Sheets
IEL Tip Sheets: Family Fun!
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
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Blogs
Five Tips on Choosing a Preschool
All Tip Sheets
Teaching Multilingual Early Learners
All Tip Sheets
Strategies for Children Lost or Separated from Their Caregivers
All Tip Sheets
Let’s Talk About … Race, Ethnicity, and Young Children
All Tip Sheets
Let’s Talk About … Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
All Tip Sheets
PDF Collections
Picture Books Featuring Characters with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Resource Lists
Secondhand Smoke, Thirdhand Smoke, and Exposure to Drug Use
Resource Lists
Picture Books Featuring Characters with Limb Differences
Resource Lists
Neurodiversity
Resource Lists
Math in the Home with Young Children
Resource Lists
Common Speech and Language Concerns for Young Children
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Celebrating 25 Years of IEL (2001-2026)
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Mathematical Thinking Across the Preschool Curriculum
Tool Kits
Undocumented Immigrant Families: Rights and Resources
Resource Lists
Visual Schedules
Resource Lists
Object and Visual Schedules
All Tip Sheets
Becoming a Young Self-Advocate
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Manners and Young Children
Resource Lists
Communicating With Your Baby Through Sign
All Tip Sheets
Holidays in Early Childhood Classrooms and at Home
Resource Lists
Welcoming Preschoolers with Vision Disabilities
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
,
Blogs
Blind and Visually Impaired Resources
Resource Lists
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Resources
Resource Lists
Gardening with Young Children
Resource Lists
Special Education Assessment and Eligibility
Tool Kits
Lost or Missing Children
Resource Lists
Farm to School Programs
Resource Lists
Helping Families and Programs Advocate for Inclusion
Resource Lists
Toilet Learning for Older Preschoolers
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Voting, Leaders, and Elections: What Preschoolers Can Learn About Democracy
Tool Kits
Voting and Elections with Preschoolers
Resource Lists
Recommended Practices for Working with Multilingual Families
Tool Kits
Orientation and Mobility
Resource Lists
Building Independent Skills in Young Children
Tool Kits
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT)
Resource Lists
Coding and Precoding with Young Children
Resource Lists
Reggio Emilia-Inspired Classrooms and Programs
Resource Lists
Handwriting for Young Children
Tool Kits
Food Allergies and Young Children
Podcast
Swimming
Resource Lists
Developing Strong Teacher-Child Relationships
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Everyone Can Be a Leader
Tool Kits
Safe Sleep
Resource Lists
Car Safety: In and Out of the Car
Resource Lists
Water Safety
Resource Lists
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Resource Lists
Dental Health and Dentist Visits
Resource Lists
Pets for the Family and for the Classroom
Resource Lists
Money and Economics for Young Children
Resource Lists
Citizenship and Leadership
Resource Lists
Meeting Basic Needs of Families Experiencing Homelessness and Housing Insecurity
Resource Lists
Time and Sequence
Resource Lists
Block Play
Resource Lists
Teaching Geography
Resource Lists
Weather Ready
Resource Lists
Weapons, Safety, and Pretend Gunplay
Resource Lists
Class Discussions
Resource Lists
Playdates
Resource Lists
Community Outings
Resource Lists
Assessment for Special Education
Resource Lists
Physical Health and Wellness
Resource Lists
Less is More: Finding Peace in Your Organized Classroom
Tool Kits
Family Engagement in Early Childhood Programs
Resource Lists
The Science of Reading in Preschool: What Is Helpful in Pre-reading?
Podcast
Attention and Young Children with High Energy
Resource Lists
English Language Learners
Resource Lists
Racial, Ethnic, and Religious Diversity in Early Care and Education
Resource Lists
Diverse Family Structures
Resource Lists
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Resource Lists
Science Exploration for Preschoolers
Resource Lists
Supporting Children Through Challenging Family Situations
Resource Lists
Emotional Development
Resource Lists
Self-Regulation and Executive Function
Resource Lists
Biting
Resource Lists
Collaborating with Interpreters and Families
All Tip Sheets
Working with Interpreters
Resource Lists
Parenting in the Early Years
Resource Lists
The Science of Reading in Preschool
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Sleep and Young Children
Resource Lists
Math for Preschoolers
Resource Lists
Vision Development
Resource Lists
How the Game “Red Light! Green Light!” Can Help Us Talk to Children About Food Allergies
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Teaching and Learning about Insects
Resource Lists
Toilet Learning
Resource Lists
Motor Development for Infants and Toddlers
Resource Lists
Childhood Stress and Trauma
Resource Lists
Communication and Oral Language Development in Infants and Toddlers
Resource Lists
Communication and Oral Language in the Preschool Years
Resource Lists
Learning Literacy Through Songs and Music
Resource Lists
Early Reading and Writing with Preschoolers
Resource Lists
Big Tech and Small Children
Tool Kits
Curriculum Modifications
Tool Kits
Teaching and Learning About Native Americans
Resource Lists
Nutrition for Young Children
Resource Lists
The More We Work Together: Partnerships for Preschoolers with Disabilities in Childcare
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
,
Blogs
Supporting Children Who Experience Community Violence
Resource Lists
Child Development
Tool Kits
What Is Autism?
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
Special Education and Inclusion in Early Care and Education
Resource Lists
LGBTQ+ for Educators
Resource Lists
Friendships for Young Children
Tool Kits
Helping Young Children Get Ready to Read
Tool Kits
Kindergarten Standards Resources and KIDS Assessment
Creative Arts for Young Children
Tool Kits
Inclusive Practices and Remote Learning
Tool Kits
Play
Tool Kits
Caring for Children with Asthma
Resource Lists
Asthma: Easing the Wheezing
All Tip Sheets
Challenging Behaviors in Young Children
Tool Kits
Food Allergy Awareness
All Tip Sheets
Caring for Children with Food Allergies
Resource Lists
Selecting Useful Topics for Projects
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Early Intervention
Resource Lists
Childproofing Your Home
Resource Lists
Resources to Help Serve Dual Language Learners (DLLs)
Culturally Responsive Practices
,
Blogs
Explore the Visual Arts with Young Children
Resource Lists
Advocacy, Communication Important at Each Step of the Journey
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
,
Blogs
Preschool Attendance
Tool Kits
Strategies for Developmentally Appropriate “Show and Tell” in Early Childhood Classrooms
Blogs
,
Learning and Growing Together
Attendance
Resource Lists
How Teachers Can Help When a Child Says, “Mommy, I Don’t Want to Go to Preschool!”
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Household Safety: Poisons and Other Hazards
Resource Lists
Preventing That Summer Slide
Culturally Responsive Practices
,
Blogs
Adjusting Pace and Location of Project Work
Perspectives on the Project Approach
,
Blogs
Busy with Blocks
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Careful Planning, Collaboration Can Aid Smooth Transition to Kindergarten
Children with Disabilities and Developmental Delays
,
Blogs
Lead Poisoning Prevention
Resource Lists
Try and Try Again
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Learn by Listening to Language: Build Phonemic Awareness Skills
Learning and Growing Together
,
Blogs
Screens and Young Children
Resource Lists
Speech Development and Delays
Resource Lists
Young Children’s Mental Health
Resource Lists
Helping Young Children Develop Friendships
Resource Lists
Toddlers and Tantrums
Resource Lists
Supporting Children’s Social Development: Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
Resource Lists
Getting Ready for Preschool
Resource Lists
Preparing for Kindergarten
Resource Lists
The Project Approach: Display and Documentation Techniques
Resource Lists
,
Project Approach Resources
Imagination and Fantasy in Early Childhood
Resource Lists
Children’s Play – More than Fun and Games
Resource Lists
Communicating With Parents During Sensitive or Difficult Situations
Resource Lists
Preschoolers’ Fitness and Growth
Resource Lists
Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children
Resource Lists
Music for Preschool Children
Resource Lists
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