Videos – Early Childhood
October 19, 2020
This documentary, produced in partnership with the Chicago public broadcasting station WTTW, is about how community organizations can support the development of children’s early literacy skills.
Integrating play into literacy instruction: Interview with Tim Shanahan
July 24, 2020
This video features an extended interview with Tim Shanahan, Ph.D., and includes descriptions of research-based recommendations from the What Works Clearinghouse about how to teach literacy to young students.
Integrating play into literacy instruction: Strategies for your classroom
May 13, 2020
This video shows how to implement research-based literacy practices from the What Works Clearinghouse through play-based learning.
Kindergarten: Where play and learning can meet
December 6, 2018
This documentary, produced in partnership with WTTW Channel 11, explores the advantages associated with a play-based approach in kindergarten and features stories of how two Illinois school districts—Valley View School District 365U and Elgin Area School District U-46—made the transition to play-based learning.
Kindergarten entry assessments
July 25, 2018
This video discusses the need for kindergarten entry assessments, provides an overview of what kindergarten entry assessments are, and explains the uses and benefits of kindergarten entry assessments.
Alliance member snapshot: Kim Nelson of the Midwest Early Childhood Education Research Alliance
February 20, 2018
This video provides an overview of the Midwest Early Childhood Education Research Alliance and its important work in Illinois, as described by alliance member Kim Nelson.