Show overview
Illinois Early Learning Project has been publishing since 2017, and across the 9 years since has built a catalogue of 32 episodes. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a roughly quarterly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 18 min and 24 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 months ago, with 3 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2019, with 7 episodes published.
From the publisher
The Illinois Early Learning Project is a source of evidence-based, reliable information for parents, caregivers, and teachers of young children.
Latest Episodes
View all 32 episodesCozy Corners in the Classroom
In this episode, we discuss cozy corners and their helpful uses in the classroom and at home with Caroline Hiskey and Grace Lady from Vanderbilt University.
Coaching in Early Learning
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jessica Hardy from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign about coaching for early childhood educators: what it is, what makes a good coach, and how to make the most of the coaching experience. Note: A few times during this podcast, a word or phrase may be difficult to hear. Please refer to the written transcript of this podcast for a full account of the audio. You can find the transcript on: https://illinoisearlylearning.org/resources/podcasts/
The Early Childhood Collaborative Itinerant Teaching Model: Services in Inclusive Settings
In this episode, we talk with Kristy Doan from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) about the early childhood collaborative itinerant teaching model and how special education services can be provided in inclusive settings.
Teaching in a Classroom Where Many Languages are Spoken
In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Koryne Nnoli from Morgan State University about how early childhood educators can use strategies to support multilingual learners in their classrooms where many languages are spoken.
What is the Pyramid Model?
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter from Vanderbilt University about the Pyramid Model and how it works to support young children's social and emotional development in a variety of early childhood settings.
Mixing Early Math and Social Studies within Preschool Classrooms
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Jennifer McCray from the Early Math Collaborative at the Erikson Institute about mixing early math and social studies in preschool classrooms.
Food Allergies and Young Children
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Ruchi Gupta and Sarah Valaika from the Center for Food Allergy & Asthma Research (CFAAR) about caring for children with food allergies in the early childhood classroom.
AAC and Belonging: Communication and Friendships
In this episode with Dr. Susan Johnston, we explore augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and how it relates to belonging and friendships in young children.
Building Literacy Through Reggio Emilia Inspiration
In this episode, we interview Dr. Ali Lewis, director of University Primary School at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and talk about integrating early literacy in a Reggio Emilia–inspired program.
Anti-Ableism in Preschool: How Do We Talk About It?
In this podcast episode, Dr. Jessica Bacon, chats with us about anti-ableism and inclusion and explains how we can talk about these important concepts in developmentally appropriate ways with young children.
Teaming in the PreK Classroom
This podcast episode features prekindergarten teacher Mickey Gilbert, who shares tips for educators, specialists, and related service providers on teaming together.
Nature-Based Preschool: Ideas for Your Classroom
In this podcast episode, our guest Abbie Frank, founder and executive director of Bluestem Hall Nature School, a nature-based preschool in Urbana, talks about ways to incorporate nature-based education into everyday early childhood classrooms.
The Science of Reading in Preschool: What Is Helpful in Pre-reading?
We speak with Dr. Susan Zoll, associate professor in elementary education at Rhode Island College and author of “Powerful Literacy in the Montessori Classroom: Aligning Reading Research and Practice,” which is about how to incorporate the science of reading into preschool classrooms.
Developmental Screenings for Young Children: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know
On this podcast, we are joined by Dr. Marisa Macy, associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She joins us to discuss the purpose of developmental screening tools in the early childhood field.
Making and Keeping Friends
This podcast features Dr. Seon Yeong Yu, an associate professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Yu shares tips for teachers and parents about friendship development for young children with and without disabilities.
Families, Social-Emotional Learning, and the Pandemic
In this podcast, we speak with Kelly Russell, the program director of CU Early, which serves infants, toddlers, and expectant parents in Champaign, Urbana, and Mahomet. We explore how the pandemic has changed service delivery for home visits, developmental screenings, and support groups. We also delve into the changing social and emotional needs of families of young children
Parenting During a Pandemic
On this podcast, we are joined by Christy Lee, mother to four children, two with Down syndrome. Christy shares with us some tips for parenting during the pandemic on topics such as schooling, shopping, and home life.
Childcare During COVID-19: A Director’s Perspective
On this podcast, we talk with Dr. Brent McBride about the impact of COVID-19 on childcare from a director’s perspective. Dr. McBride is the director of the Child Development Laboratory and a professor of human development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Implementing the Project Approach in Inclusive Classrooms
Dr. Sallee Beneke, an associate professor of early childhood education at St. Ambrose University, joins the Illinois Early Learning Project to discuss implementing the Project Approach in inclusive early childhood classrooms.
Supporting Children with the Characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Preschool Classrooms
On this podcast, we are joined by Dr. Emily Dorsey, project director of the Illinois Early Learning Project. She joins us to discuss strategies for helping children with the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder succeed in inclusive early childhood classrooms.