Ask an Expert

Several times during the academic year, IEL features “Ask an Expert” events on a variety of topics. During each event, IEL users can submit questions electronically to a specialist.

Selected questions and their answers are then posted to the current “Ask an Expert” section of the IEL Web site. Other questions may be answered by personal email. Related resources and answers to questions on a number of topics can be found through the following links.

In addition to the information provided by the guest experts, IEL staff have prepared Resource Lists related to the featured topics. These Resource Lists, which are updated periodically, contain a wealth of information on early care and education topics, including Web materials, IEL resources, and listings of relevant articles and books.

Current & Upcoming Ask an Expert Events

AprilExploring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in the Early Childhood Classroom with Sallee Beneke

Past Ask an Expert Events

TransitionMoving from Early Intervention to PreK: What Parents and Caregivers Want to Know with Felicia Fahl Gooler

HomelessnessWhen Children are Homeless: How Preschool Teachers and Caregivers Can Help with Jim Moberly

Family RoutinesHow Do Family Mealtimes and Other Daily Routines Enhance a Child's Well-Being? with Barbara Fiese

Domestic ViolenceSupporting Resilience in Children Exposed to Domestic Violence with Karen Stephens

AutismHelping Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Early Care and Education Settings with Barbara T. Doyle

Nature Appreciating the Natural World with Young Children with Valerie Keener

ImaginationImagination and Fantasy in Early Childhood
with Karen Stephens

Project Approach The Project Approach: Display and Documentation Techniques with Sylvia Chard

Bullying Bullying in Early Childhood with Dorothy L. Espelage

Siblings Sibling Relationships with Amanda Kolburn

FriendshipHelping Young Children Develop Friendships with Karen Stephens

PlayChildren's Play—More than Fun and Games with Jean Mendoza

Challenging Behaviors Do Problem Behaviors Live inside Young Children? Or Do We Create Problems through Our Program Design? with Dale Borman Fink

ObesityChildhood Obesity with Darla Castelli

Conflict Helping Young Children Resolve Conflicts with Karen Stephens

Home Projects Doing Projects with Children at Home with Judy Harris Helm

Diversity Welcoming Hispanic Children and Families to Preschool Programs with Cristina López-Sánchez

Nutrition & Fitness Preschoolers' Nutrition and Fitness with the Staff of the Illinois Interagency Nutrition Council

Past Chat Events

From 2002 through 2005, the Illinois Early Learning Project hosted periodic live Chat sessions for parents and educators around the state, in which participants asked questions of Chat guests in an online format. Related resources and answers to questions on a variety of topics can be found through the following links:

Project ApproachThe Project Approach and the Early Learning Standardswith Sallee Beneke

Setting LimitsSaying 'No' to Your Child with Lilian Katz

Mental HealthYoung Children's Mental Health with Samantha Wulfsohn

TechnologyTV, Computers, and Video Games—How Much Is Too Much? with Carol Weisheit

BooksFrom Chewing to Choosing: Bonding Books and Children with Elizabeth Hearne

MusicMy Child Loves Music but I Can't Carry a Tune in a Bucket: A Guide to Preschool Music Making with Eve Harwood

Language/DiversitySupporting the Literacy Development of Diverse Language Learners in Early Childhood Classrooms with Rosalinda Barrera

Learning StandardsHow to Enrich Curriculum with the Illinois Early Learning Standards with Linda Housewright

Speech DelaysSpeech Delays in Young Children: When Will They Talk? with Marlene Christ

Talking with ParentsCommunicating with Parents during Sensitive or Difficult Situations with Karen Stephens

Phonological AwarenessDo You Hear What I Hear? Phonological Awareness in Young Children with Michael Marks

Toddler EmotionsUsing Words and Emotions to Avoid Two's Commotions with Deb Medlyn

Infant/Toddler CareBest Practices for Infant and Toddler Care with Debbie Trouth

LiteracyEncouraging Literacy Development in Preschoolers with Jodi Scott

AsthmaCaring for Children with Asthma with Janette Hoffman

LiteracyEncouraging Literacy Development in Infants and Toddlers with Marsha Glick

Aggression & AngerHandling Challenging Behaviors in Child Care: Aggression and Anger in Young Children with Mary Louise Hemmeter

AutismHandling Challenging Behaviors in Child Care and at Home: Autism with Alyson Beytien

Preschool PreparationGetting Ready for Preschool with Jill Moore

Kindergarten PreparationGetting Ready for Kindergarten with LaDonna Helm

Father InvolvementFather/Male Involvement in Early Childhood with Brent A. McBride

Learning StandardsIntegrating the Illinois Early Learning Standards and Performance Assessment with Barbara Grace

Work SamplingUsing Work Sampling in Pre-K Settings with Sallee Beneke

Social DevelopmentSupporting Children's Social Development: Strategies for Parents and Caregivers with Dr. Lilian Katz

ImmunizationsImmunizations: What Parents and Caregivers Need to Know with Nanette Gilpin, M.D.

The opinions, resources, and referrals provided on the IEL Web site and during IEL Chat sessions are intended for informational purposes only and are not intended to take the place of medical or legal advice, or of other appropriate services. We encourage you to seek direct local assistance from a qualified professional if necessary before taking action.

The content of the IEL Web site and IEL Chat sessions does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois State Board of Education; nor does the mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the Illinois Early Learning Project, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, or the Illinois Board of Education.