Tip Sheets by Topic

These are larger collections of tip sheets by content area, such as Language Arts, Mathematics, or Science.

Select a topic below:

drawning of teacher reading to children

Returning to Childcare During COVID-19

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

drawing of parent touching child's head

Positive Guidance for Young Children: Be Thoughtful

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

little girl with teddy bear and blanket

Positive Guidance for Young Children: Take a Break and Calm Down

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

parent talking with child

Positive Guidance for Young Children: Plan Ahead

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

drawing of adult talking with child

Positive Guidance for Young Children: Be Consistent

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

$checkerboard$

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Math Is Everywhere

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Music and Movement

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Get Ready to Read

Get Ready to Read

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Get Them to School Every Day

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Helping Children Develop “Impulse Control”

Helping Children Develop “Impulse Control”

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Out and About with Preschoolers: Visual Arts

Out and About with Preschoolers: Visual Arts

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Children’s Social Competence Checklist

Children’s Social Competence Checklist

Bullying Hurts Everyone

Bullying Hurts Everyone

Children’s Votes Count!

Children’s Votes Count!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

When Children Mourn

When Children Mourn

drawing of adult and two children

Work and Play Together

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Mother holding child’s hand

Talk Together

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Talk, Listen, and Learn

Talk, Listen, and Learn

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Supporting Adult-Child Relationships

Supporting Adult-Child Relationships

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Sorting, Classifying, and Organizing

Sorting, Classifying, and Organizing

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Read and Write Together

Read and Write Together

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Making Sense of Numbers

Making Sense of Numbers

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Learning by Listening to Language

Learning by Listening to Language

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Keep Up the Good Work

Keep Up the Good Work

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Investigate Together

Investigate Together

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Feelings Are Fantastic

Feelings Are Fantastic

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Discover Shapes in Many Places

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Discover Letters and Words

Discover Letters and Words

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Counting Up, Down, and All Around!

Counting Up, Down, and All Around!

Graphic Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Helping Children Handle Disappointment

Helping Children Handle Disappointment

Helping Siblings Get Along

Helping Siblings Get Along

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

mothere and young child

Encouraging Words

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

child in playhouse

Time to Play, Time to Dream: Unscheduling Your Child

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Teaching Children to Avoid "Stranger Danger"

Teaching Children to Avoid “Stranger Danger”

child with broom and dust pan

Real Work: Preschoolers Can Help

Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started

Project Approach: Phase 1—Getting Started

child working on a project

Project Approach for Preschoolers

Please Don’t Go! Separation Anxiety and Children

Please Don’t Go! Separation Anxiety and Children

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Play with Light & Shadow

Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Play with Light & Shadow

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Art Is All Around

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Art Is All Around

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

children on playground

Young Children Need to Play!

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Using Words to Discipline Children

Using Words to Discipline Children

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Music, Sound, and Movement

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Music, Sound, and Movement

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Learning Activity Kits

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Learning Activity Kits

Sharing Books with Your Preschooler

Sharing Books with Your Preschooler

Play Right—Don’t Bite!

Play Right—Don’t Bite!

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

mom and toddler at the beach

Learning and Fun on Family Field Trips

Inclusion in Preschool Classrooms

Encouraging Child-to-Child Conversation

Encouraging Child-to-Child Conversation

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Connecting with Parents: “But He Doesn’t Do That at Home!”

Connecting with Parents: “But He Doesn’t Do That at Home!”

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Language and Literacy

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Helping the Often-Angry Child

Helping the Often-Angry Child

Helping Children Learn to Get Along

Helping Children Learn to Get Along

The Gift of Words: Reading and Games

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

The Gift of Words: Conversation and Routines

The Gift of Words: Conversation and Routines

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Fuss Management: Comforting the Irritable Child

Fuss Management: Comforting the Irritable Child

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Ease Those First-Day Blues!

Ease Those First-Day Blues!

Your Child's First Day in Preschool

Your Child’s First Day in Preschool

Young Children’s Mental Health: What Is Essential?

Young Children’s Mental Health: What Is Essential?

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

mom and child playing game

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Physical Activities

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Say What You Mean! Talking Straight to Children

Say What You Mean! Talking Straight to Children

Project Approach: Including Every Child

Manners and Preschoolers

Manners and Preschoolers

drawing of child with magnifying glass

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Curious Young Scientists

Graphic Tip Sheets, Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

child looking at tractor

Project Approach: Phase 1—Choosing a Topic to Investigate

Out and About with Preschoolers: Close Up with Visual Arts

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

children playing with blocks

Make Room for Blocks!

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum

Literacy across the Preschool Curriculum

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

Natural Illinois: The Trees You See

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Kids Who Care

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

It Takes Money: Economics for Preschoolers

It Takes Money: Economics for Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Helping Preschoolers Learn in Two Languages

Helping Preschoolers Learn in Two Languages

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

Get Growing: Planters and Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

Get Growing: Planning a Garden with Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

Get Growing: Learning about Seeds

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts

Get Growing: From Seeds to Sprouts

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Games for All Young Children

Games for All Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Fight Germs! Wash Your Hands!

Fight Germs! Wash Your Hands!

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

child watching clouds

Encouraging Scientific Thinking: Rain or Shine

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Drama and Young Children

Drama and Young Children

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

CSI: Child Scientist Investigates!

CSI: Child Scientist Investigates!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

two boys with bubbles

Cooperation Across the Preschool Curriculum: Science

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

mom and child drawing

Young Authors at Work: Story Dictations

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Young Authors at Work: Literature Response Journals

Young Authors at Work: Literature Response Journals

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

children playing natural area

Who’s the Leader?

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?

Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood?

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

What’s Next? Predictions at Story Time

What’s Next? Predictions at Story Time

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Using Predictable Books with Young Children

Using Predictable Books with Young Children

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Toys from Throwaways: Let’s Recycle!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

chlid playing with box

Toys from Throwaways: Boxes

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence!

Time for Preschoolers: In Sequence!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Time for Preschoolers: Duration

Time for Preschoolers: Duration

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Things We Need: Economics for Preschoolers

Things We Need: Economics for Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Things Change

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Sing, Play, and Hear: Music’s in the Air

Sing, Play, and Hear: Music’s in the Air

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

boy with watering can

Say Yes to the Mess! Water Works

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

child making a snow angel

Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

Say Yes to the Mess! Play with Rocks

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

$Remember When …$

Remember When …

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Project Approach: Helping Preschoolers Represent What They Learn

Project Approach: Helping Preschoolers Represent What They Learn

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Project Approach: Helping Children Ask Questions

Project Approach: Helping Children Ask Questions

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys

Project Approach: Children Taking Surveys

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

mom and child baking

Predicting: Helping Preschoolers Look Ahead

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

girl writing at table with classmates

The Power of the Pen: Let Children Choose Writing Centers!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

The Power of the Pen: Drawing and Scribbling

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Playground Physics: Watch for Falling Objects!

Playground Physics: Watch for Falling Objects!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

children playing with balls

Playground Physics: On a Roll!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Playground Physics: Hang in There!

Playground Physics: Hang in There!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

chldren playing at table

Play and Self-Regulation in Preschool

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Physical Fitness for Preschool-Age Children

Physical Fitness for Preschool-Age Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

$children counting candy$

Path to Math: Word Problems for Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

$Path to Math: Real Graphs for Preschoolers$

Path to Math: Real Graphs for Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

$Path to Math: More Word Problems for Preschoolers$

Path to Math: More Word Problems for Preschoolers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

$number toys$

Path to Math: More Numbers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

child measuring a plant

Path to Math: Measurement with Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

$Path to Math: Geometric Thinking for Young Children$

Path to Math: Geometric Thinking for Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

$Path to Math: Classification$

Path to Math: Classification

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

$Path to Math: Beginning Numbers$

Path to Math: Beginning Numbers

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

child walking on sidewalk

Out and About with Preschoolers: The Places You’ll Go!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Out and About with Preschoolers: Sunshine Science

Out and About with Preschoolers: Sunshine Science

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Out and About with Preschoolers: Science in the “Built Environment”

Out and About with Preschoolers: Science in the “Built Environment”

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music

Out and About with Preschoolers: Make Some Music

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

child playing in leaves

Out and About with Preschoolers: Dancing on the Sidewalk

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities

Out and About with Preschoolers: Literacy Activities

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

dad in business suit walking with daughter in metro area

Neighborhood Geography with Young Children

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Math Sense: Learning about Coins

Math Sense: Learning about Coins

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads

Natural Illinois: Frogs and Toads

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Natural Illinois: Mammals

Natural Illinois: Mammals

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

Natural Illinois: Butterflies and Moths

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Natural Illinois: Rock On!

Natural Illinois: Rock On!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

Natural Illinois: Leaves Are All Around

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Natural Illinois: Birds

Natural Illinois: Birds

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Natural Illinois: Insects

Natural Illinois: Insects

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Building Endurance: Let's Get Physical!

Building Endurance: Let’s Get Physical!

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Dealing with Distraction

Dealing with Distraction

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

No More Diapers: Is Your Child Ready?

No More Diapers: Is Your Child Ready?

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Outdoor Play: Weather or Not

Outdoor Play: Weather or Not

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Pets and Young Children

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

children writing

Cooperation in the Preschool Classroom: Class Discussions

Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets Aligned to Benchmarks

Understanding and Accepting Differences: Why Can't Maria Walk?

Understanding and Accepting Differences: Why Can’t Maria Walk?

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Read!

Fun at Home with Preschoolers: Getting Ready to Read!

child with magnifying glass

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Science

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Art Works!

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Art Works!

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

children working on project

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Follow Up!

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Being There!

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

Outdoor Field Trips with Preschoolers: Preparing with the Children

He's Teasing Me!

He’s Teasing Me!

Eating Right = Healthy Children

Eating Right = Healthy Children

Tearless Transitions

Tearless Transitions

ZZZs, Please! Bedtime for Preschoolers

ZZZs, Please! Bedtime for Preschoolers

Organized Sports and Young Children

Organized Sports and Young Children

No More Diapers: Getting Started

No More Diapers: Getting Started

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

child with magnifying glass

The Curious Child

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

child with bowl of berries

Say Yes to Healthy Snacks!

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

When Should I Send a Sick Child Home?

When Should I Send a Sick Child Home?

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

small boy resting on arm

Take a Bold Approach to Shyness

Preventing Lead Poisoning in Children

Preventing Lead Poisoning in Children

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Helping Your Child Learn in Two Languages

Helping Your Child Learn in Two Languages

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

Project Approach: Phase 3—Concluding the Project

children working on project

Project Approach: Phase 2—Doing Fieldwork

Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork

Project Approach: Phase 2—Getting Ready for Fieldwork

children with crayons

Getting Ready to Read and Write in Child Care

Making and Keeping Friends

Making and Keeping Friends

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Math

Things to Do While You’re Waiting: Math

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets

What Makes a Good Toy?

What Makes a Good Toy?

Infant/toddler Tip Sheets, Tip Sheets