FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

The Family Resource Center is a welcoming space dedicated to supporting families by providing valuable resources and guidance. Our Lending Library offers books, games, manipulatives and puzzles that families can check out to support learning and development at home. Whether you're looking for parenting tips, educational activities, or community resources, we have materials to assist you.

Additionally, Nicole Petschenko, the ELC Family Resource Specialist, is available to answer questions, provide recommendations, and offer support tailored to your family's needs. Stop by to explore our resources and connect with helpful information!

Siblings are welcome to join when attending FRC hours.

This newsletter is PACKED with community events for your little ones, upcoming parent online webinar information, online libraries, and more... so make sure to scroll all the way through!

Tuesday, March 4th: 11:00-12:45

Monday, March 10th: 10:30-12:45

*** Monday, March 17th: see above ***

Friday, March 21st: 11:00-12:45

Click on the photo to open the Virtual Library of your choice for online read alouds, songs and more!

March is Music in Schools Month! Click on a new or familiar book below for a YouTube read-aloud!

Click the photo below to check out what a few ELC students have been exploring at the museum!

The Oak Lawn-Hometown SD123 Early Learning Center and the Children's Museum in Oak Lawn created a partnership called Operation ABC (Adventures Beyond the Classroom). We are offering ELC families the opportunity for a 7-Day, free of charge family pass to the Oak Lawn Children's Museum that is valid for up to 6 family members at your time of entrance.

There are tremendous benefits to intentional play-based education, allowing children the opportunity to develop skills in exploration and discovery, creativity, socialization, language development and many more! We hope your family takes the opportunity to be involved and PLAY!

The Oak Lawn Children's Museum is located at:

5100 Museum Drive

Oak Lawn, IL 60453

next to the Oak Lawn Metra Train Station near 95th & 51st Ave.

Contact Nicole Petschenko npetschenko@d123.org or 708.952.7795 with any questions.

Tucker the Turtle is a new friend at the Early Learning Center! He is in all of the classrooms and he helps teach students the steps of how to control their feelings and calm down (“think like a turtle”).

You can practice the 4 steps listed above at home with your child, and be sure to recognize and comment positively when your child stays calm.

Ask your child' teacher if you would like a copy of the Turtle Technique to be printed and sent home for practice!

Oak Lawn Public Library

March 14th

10:30 - 11:15 am

Ages 3 - 5 with an adult

Have you ever done yoga moves to a favorite children's book? Brain to Belly Kids Yoga will teach us how! Please bring towels or mats for yourself and your child.

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program.

Doors to programs will close at 10 minutes past start time. We will distribute admission tickets at the Youth Services Desk 15 minutes before the start of the program.

Oak Lawn Public Library

For families with children ages 4 and up

Kits are available starting Monday, March 17th. The kit includes props, snacks and other fun family-friendly activities to keep everyone engaged with the movie. Activities were designed for ages 4 and up.

One kit per family, while supplies last.

Lakeshore Learning Store

15780 S. La Grange Rd.

Orland Park, IL 60462-4766

(708) 403-6300

11:00 am to 3:00pm

This is a free, walk-in event held at all locations between the hours listed. No reservations needed.

Lakeshore Website

Oak Lawn Public Library

March 24th

2:00 - 3:45 PM

All ages; children under 5 must be with an adult.

Oak Lawn Public Library

March 26th

3:00 - 6:00 PM

All ages; children under 5 must be with an adult.

Make a colorful suncatcher to attach to a window!

Oak Lawn Public Library

March 28th

2:00 - 3:30 PM

All ages; children under 5 must be with an adult.

Oak Lawn Children's Museum

The museum will be closed all day specifically for this event. Sign up for 10:00AM-11:30AM or 12:30PM-2:00PM.

Get tickets at https://www.cmoaklawn.org/spring-egg-hunt.html

March 19th

6:00-7:30 PM (virtual)

In this webinar families will learn about literacy development, how family involvement matters, and what they can do to foster their children’s literacy development at home.

We’ll discuss many ways families can weave language and literacy into their daily activities to extend their children’s learning at school.

Families of children with disabilities will learn strategies and adaptations for encouraging and supporting their children’s literacy development at home.

Participants will receive useful tip sheets and resources for easy activities.

Participants will:

- Understand how family conversational interactions build children’s language and literacy skills

- Discover ways to incorporate language and literacy in the home environment and daily activities

- Learn how to use 5 different activities to engage in with children to build language and literacy skills at home

- Gain tips for adaptations and supports to aid literacy development in children with disabilities

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Children from birth to age 5 are learning the foundational skills of executive function: self-regulation, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. When developmental delays, disabilities, or sensory issues are present, these skills are critically essential in helping children be available for learning academics and social behaviors. Participants will learn how to create routines, use co-regulation skills, and the types of games that help build these fundamental skills.

Click HERE or the photo above to register.