The Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELS) are the state's official guidelines for what children should know and be able to do from birth through kindergarten. Think of them as a research-backed roadmap — covering five key areas of development: how children learn, physical growth, language and literacy, thinking and reasoning, and social-emotional health. Every activity and lesson at Smart Beginnings is intentionally designed around these standards, so you can be confident your child is building the right foundations at exactly the right time.
Infants
Warm, responsive care that builds trust, secure attachment, and the brain architecture for all future learning.
- Curiosity & sustained attention
- Exploring with all senses
- Responding to new experiences
- Rolling, sitting & grasping
- Crawling milestones
- Building strength via tummy time
- Listening & babbling
- Recognizing caregiver voices
- Early interest in books
- Cause-and-effect discovery
- Object permanence
- Recognizing daily routines
- Secure attachment & trust
- Comfort-seeking behavior
- Beginning emotional expression
Toddlers
Honoring the drive for independence while gently building social, language, and cognitive foundations.
- Curiosity & independence
- Persistence in new tasks
- Self-directed exploration
- Walking, climbing & stacking
- Self-feeding skills
- Growing fine motor control
- First words & simple phrases
- Following simple directions
- Singing songs & loving books
- Sorting & matching objects
- Beginning pretend play
- Simple problem-solving
- Parallel play with peers
- Sharing with adult support
- Labeling & expressing emotions
Twos
Language explodes, imagination soars, and your child's first real friendships begin to form.
- Longer sustained attention
- Growing curiosity & confidence
- Willing to try new challenges
- Running, jumping & climbing
- Building towers & structures
- Growing self-care independence
- 2–4 word sentences
- Singing & answering questions
- Deep love of books & stories
- Sorting colors & shapes
- Counting small sets
- Pretend play & problem-solving
- Taking turns with peers
- Naming feelings accurately
- Building first friendships
Preschool
Child-led inquiry, creativity, and social confidence take center stage in a rich, joyful learning community.
- Following multi-step routines
- Trying new activities eagerly
- Increasing focus & attention
- Running, balancing & jumping
- Cutting with scissors
- Drawing shapes & simple figures
- Speaking in full sentences
- Recognizing letters & sounds
- Storytelling & book enjoyment
- Counting to 10+
- Colors, shapes & patterns
- Simple science discovery
- Sharing & taking turns
- Expressing & regulating feelings
- Cooperative play & friendships
School Age
Before and after-school care that extends the day with enrichment, homework support, and meaningful friendships.
- Independent goal-setting
- Perseverance through challenges
- Self-directed projects
- Coordination & team sports
- Fine motor for art & building
- Healthy activity habits
- Reading comprehension
- Writing & self-expression
- Research & presentation skills
- Math & science concepts
- Critical & creative thinking
- Homework support & study skills
- Leadership & teamwork
- Conflict resolution skills
- Self-advocacy & confidence
Summer Camp
An unforgettable summer of exploration, creativity, friendship, and adventure — all in a safe, structured environment.
- Creative exploration & STEM
- Trying new activities bravely
- Problem-solving through play
- Active outdoor adventures
- Team games & sports
- Nature walks & exploration
- Storytelling & drama
- Reading for fun & discovery
- Group discussions & sharing
- Science experiments & STEM
- Art projects & design thinking
- Engineering challenges
- Deep friendship building
- Teamwork & group challenges
- Confidence & independence