A helpful guide from the Illinois Early Intervention Training program describing the various steps of the early intervention journey in Illinois for a family beginning with referral and ending with transition and exiting the system.
Telehealth
Beyond the Clinic: Transforming your Practice with Video ConsultationsSilvia PfeifferSJ Publishing, 2018This book provides simple, practical and step by step advice for practitioners using digital technology and video consultations. Best Practices in Engaging Online Learners Through Active and Experiential Learning
Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits
Healthy sleep habits can help a child feel safe and secure. A baby’s sleep patterns are constantly changing as a result of his or her development.
Volume 33, Issue 1 (Spring 2020)
Healthy Sleep Helps All; Bedtime Mindfulness Activities; Resources for Establishing Healthy Sleep Habits; State Updates When I’m 3, Where Will I Be?; State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Update
Ways to Implement EI During COVID-19
Ways to Implement EI During COVID-19 Early intervention (EI) programs and providers around our state have suspended in-person visits. However, infants, toddlers, and their families can keep working on EI outcomes. The EI Clearinghouse has put together this collection of
A Description of Live Video Visits
Description of Live Video Visits Live video visits (e.g., telehealth or teletherapy) enable you and your child to receive early intervention (EI) services during COVID-19. Live video visits are new to Illinois EI services and are ONLY being offered during
Technology for Live Video Visits
Technology for Live Video Visits Live video visits (e.g., telehealth or teletherapy) may enable you to receive EI services during COVID-19. Live video visits are new to Illinois EI services and are ONLY being offered during the pandemic. Below, we
Introduction to Early Intervention (EI) Live Video Visits: Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction to Early Intervention (EI) Live Video Visits: Frequently Asked Questions Live video visits (i.e., telehealth or teletherapy) enable you to receive EI services during COVID-19. Live video visits are new to Illinois EI services and are ONLY being offered
Everyday Early Intervention: Let’s Do the Laundry
Laundry washing, sorting, and folding is full of opportunities to work on early intervention outcomes.
Indoor Play
2,4,6,8 This Is How We Regulate! 75 Play Therapy Activities to Increase Mindfulness in ChildrenTracy Turner-BumberryPESI, 2019This book presents 75 simple, playful and on-point interventions that combines mindfulness, expressive arts and play to help kids achieve greater self-regulation, focus more
Volume 32, Issue 4 (Winter 2020)
Play and Learn Indoors; How to Build Strong Family-
Professional Partnerships; The Role of Service Coordinator
in Early Intervention
Picky Eating and Healthy Nutrition for Young Children
Baby-Led Feeding: A Natural Way to Raise Happy, Independent EatersJenna HelwigHoughton Mifflin, 2018This book gives an easy-to-follow introduction to baby-led feeding or weaning, including chapters on the benefits of this approach, when and how to get started, essential safety and
Everyday Early Intervention: In the Kitchen
Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen, which makes it is a great place to work on early intervention outcomes. Help your child become involved in cooking, washing dishes, and cleanup tasks with items that are safe for infants and toddlers to handle. Here’s how you can help your child learn and develop new skills during these everyday routines.
Volume 32, Issue 3 (Fall 2019)
Handling Picky Eaters; Food to Grow; Picky Eating and Healthy Nutrition for Young Children; The Role of Nutrition in Early Intervention; EI Nutrition Services
Tech Talk
Today, parenting means finding a balance between time spent on devices and screen-free time. This isn’t so different from days when parents were tasked with setting limits on what programs you could watch on TV, how close you were allowed
What’s in Your IFSP?
What’s in Your IFSP? An Individualized Family Service Plan is developed for every child receiving services through the Illinois early intervention system. Once eligibility is determined, and within 45 days of referral, the IFSP is developed by the early intervention
Volume 32, Issue 2 (Summer 2019)
You Are Your Child’s Best Advocate; Answering Questions About Your Child’s Disabilities; Stories of Strength, Love, and Hope; What Is a Parent Liaison?
Planning for Summer
The summer can be a fun and challenging time. It can be liberating to not have school or daily routines. Without formal scheduling guidelines, you can choose your preferred activities. However, it can also be difficult to identify such activities,
Volume 32, Issue 1 (Spring 2019)
Tech Talk; How Do I Choose the Right Apps and Tech Toys?;
Technology Resources for Families of Young Children; SSIP Update: A Focus on
Coaching Skills
Everyday Early Intervention: Technology Is Everywhere
Everyday Early Intervention: Technology Is Everywhere Technology is a part of everyday life. It can also be a valuable tool for early intervention (EI) teams to use to share information and progress. Infants and toddlers learn more from interacting with
Technology Resources for Families of Young Children
This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse. Boosting Brain Power : 52 Ways to Use What Science Tells UsJill StammGryphon House, 2016This book provides 52 strategies – one for
Everyday Early Intervention: Bubbles
Everyday Early Intervention: Bubbles Warm weather means it is a great time to explore the outdoors. Outside play is a wonderful opportunity to work on early intervention (EI) outcomes. For example, consider the fun warm weather pastime of blowing bubbles.
Challenging Behavior
This topical guide on assistive technology for infants and Toddlers will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse.
Everyday Early Intervention: Let’s Get Dressed
Everyday Early Intervention: Let’s Get Dressed Getting dressed is an everyday activity that is full of opportunities to work on EI outcomes. Getting undressed for the bath, putting on warm clothes for outside play, and changing from pajamas to daytime
Volume 31, Issue 4 (Winter 2019)
Plan Ahead to Prevent Tantrums and Meltdowns During the Holidays; Help Us Improve the Clearinghouse and EI Services; Challenging Behavior/Social-Emotional Resource Guide; Social Workers’ Roles in Early Intervention
Siblings as Role Models for Children With Disabilities
The sibling relationship is often the longest lasting family connection.
You Have Everything You Need: Using Household Items for Early Intervention
You play an important role in your child’s everyday experiences. You help your child grow stronger through play.
Parents Interacting with Infants (PIWI) Model
“PIWI” (“Parents Interacting with Infants”) is an early intervention model based on the premise that early development occurs within the context of the family and primary attachment relationships; consequently, the most important environment for early learning and development is the
PIWI in Preservice Training: Stay ‘N Play Playgroup Practicum
The PIWI model has been implemented in a university-based birth-to-three Early intervention playgroup practicum field experience (Stay ‘N Play). The materials are primarily for higher education faculty, but many of the resources could be used by early intervention programs interested
Everyday Early Intervention: Couch Time
Everyday Early Intervention: Couch Time Many families enjoy spending time relaxing on the couch together. The couch can be a great place to sit together to talk, read, and play. Moments on the couch can also be times to work
Volume 31, Issue 3 (Fall 2018)
You Have Everything You Need: Using Household Items for Early Intervention; What Is a Developmental Therapist?; What Is Bagless Early Intervention?
Set Me Up for Success!
Set Me Up for Success! Families reach EI outcomes by making the most of everyday moments. In early intervention (EI), we focus on how children learn during everyday routines. Caregivers can help children successfully participate by encouraging infants and toddlers
Family Fun
This topical guide will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse. The Sand Bucket List: 366 Things to Do With Your Kids Before They Grow UpDavid HoffmanRunning Press, 2012Whether it’s simple, silly, selfless,
Volume 31, Issue 2 (Summer 2018)
Planning for Summer, Build Skills When Exploring Outdoors, Family Outcomes Survey
Mindful Parenting
This topical guide on mindfulness will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse. Awakening joyJames Baraz and Michele LilyannaParallax Press, 2016This book provides practices and activities to cultivate mindfulness, resilience and compassion.BF 637
Six-Month Review: An Important Part of the EI Process
Six-Month Review: An Important Part of the EI Process A key part of early intervention is monitoring the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), celebrating the progress, and modifying the outcomes, strategies, and supports as a team. The six-month review is
Volume 31, Issue 1 (Spring 2018)
Positive Talk Builds Confidence; You Are What Your Child Needs; SSIP: Third Quarter Update
DEC Recommended Practices Help Guide Your Early Intervention Services
DEC Recommended Practices Help Guide Your Early Intervention Services The Division for Early Childhood’s (DEC) Recommended Practices provide interventionists and families with information about the practices most likely to improve learning and facilitate the development of children birth to 5
Family Engagement
This topical guide on family engagement was developed in partnership with the Early Intervention Training Program to be used by professionals practicing in the Early Intervention program. The Early Intervention Guidebook for Families and Professionals: Partnering for Success.Bonnie KeiltyTeachers College
EI Families With Siblings
This topical guide on EI families with siblings will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse. The Sibling Survival Guide: Indispensable Information for Brothers and Sisters of Adults with DisabilitiesDon Meyer and Emily
Volume 30, Issue 4 (Winter 2018)
Siblings as Role Models for Children With Disabilities; DEC Recommended Practices Help Guide Your EI Services; SSIP: Second Quarter Update
Involving Siblings in Early Intervention
Involving Siblings in Early Intervention The early intervention program is all about families! Siblings are important members of a child’s family and can contribute significantly to your child’s success in early intervention. By including siblings in your child’s everyday routines
Family Engagement Resource Bundle
Coaching and Reflective Supervision in Early Childhood
This topical guide on coaching and reflective supervision will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse. A critical introduction to coaching & mentoring : debates, dialogues and discoursesDavid Gray, et al.Sage, 2016This book
Mathematics and Young Children
This topical guide on mathematics and young children a will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse. The Young Child and MathematicsJuanita CopleyNational Association for the Education of Young Children, 2010 This book
Toilet Training Children With Special Needs
This topical guide on toilet training for children with special needs will introduce you to important books, videos, and information resources available from the EI Clearinghouse. Body Care: A Whole Health Curriculum for Young ChildrenConnie Jo Smith, et al.Redleaf Press,
Body Care Basics
Body Care Basics Infants and toddlers can practice good hygiene and help avoid the spread of germs and infection. Teaching young children the principles of good hygiene at an early age can help them stay healthy throughout their lives. These
Volume 30, Issue 3 (Fall 2017)
Toilet Mastery for Every Child; Learning Body Care Routines: Take It a Step at a Time; SSIP: An Update for Parents
Stress and Trauma in Young Children
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a proclamation recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month and May 15 as Trauma-Informed Awareness Day in Illinois. The proclamation mentions that addressing the effects of trauma in children, youth, adults and families is fundamental to