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.
Dates and Hours
Tuesday, February 4th: 10:30 to 1:00
Friday, February 7th: 10:30 to 1:00
Tuesday, February 11th: 11:15 to 12:25 - Sensory Bottle Make-n-Take (see below)
Wednesday, February 12th: 11:15 to 12:25 - Sensory Bottle Make-n-Take (see below)
Friday, February 28th: 10:30 to 1:00
Join Us for a Sensory Bottle Make-n-Take!
Families are invited to the Family Resource Center (enter through the Main Entrance of the ELC) for a fun and creative Sensory Bottle Make-n-Take activity! Bring your child and enjoy making a calming sensory bottle together. Siblings are welcome to join!
Come explore and create! I can’t wait to see you there!
MS. PETSCHENKO'S ONLINE LIBRARY COLLECTION
Click on the photo to open the Virtual Library of your choice for online read alouds, songs and more!
Operation ABC-D123 Children's Museum Passes
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.
Passes are LIMITED! Check one out in the FRC, email npetschenko@d123.org
or reach out to your child's teacher
Social-Emotional Development at Home
Tucker the Turtle
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!
Sensory Friendly Play Session - February 8th
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 8th
9:30 - 10:15 AM (R)
11:00 - 11:45 AM (T)
Ages 2 - 5 with an adult
Embrace your child’s curiosity and join Youth Services for Sensory Saturday on Feb. 8. This program is for children ages 2-5 with an adult and will feature a variety of exploratory stations.
(R): If a calmer, less-crowded environment is a better fit for your child, register for the sensory-friendly 9:30-10:15 a.m. session. Sign up for this session now at the Youth Services Desk or by phone at 708-422-4990, ext. 400.
(T): The standard session will take place from 11-11:45 a.m. Admission tickets for this session will be available at the Youth Services Desk starting 15 minutes before the start of the program.
Accompanying Adults
This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.
Valentine's Play Party for children with disabilities - February 11th
Oak Lawn Children's Museum
5100 Museum Dr, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Tuesday, February 11th
5:00 to 7:00 PM
Join us for a heartwarming Valentine’s Play Party designed especially for children with disabilities and their families! Celebrate the season of love, with an evening filled with Valentine-themed fun and activities. There’s something for everyone to enjoy in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Bring your family, share the love, and make special memories together. We can’t wait to see you there!
Wee Ones Wednesday Valentine's Party - February 12th
Oak Lawn Children's Museum
5100 Museum Dr, Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Wednesday, February 12th
8:30-9:30 am
Wee Ones Wednesday will be a special one next week! Come out to celebrate Valentine's Day with your little one (0-3 years olds) on Feb. 12th.
Lego Drop-In
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 13th
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Ages: For families
We’ll supply the Legos and you supply the imagination!
Accompanying Adults
This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.
Storybook Yoga - February 14th
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 14th
9:30 - 10:15 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.
Program Admittance
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.
DIY-U by Lowe’s - February 15th
Tool Chest
February 15th
10:00 - 1:00
Ages 4 and up with an adult at participating Lowe's Home Improvement locations.
Unleash your little one's inner craftsman at Lowe's Tool Chest kids workshop! Children will learn essential skills, organization, and creativity as they build and personalize their tool chests. Join us for a fun day of DIY and exploration, where your child can gain confidence and pride in their handiwork—perfect for future family projects and imaginative adventures!
Registration is required.
CLICK HERE to REGISTER.
Planet Circus - February 17th
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 17th
11:00 - 11:45 am
For All Ages
Join us for this interactive show featuring acrobatics, juggling, magic and comedy. It's fun for the whole family!
No tickets necessary.
Stuffed Animal Clinic - February 20th
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 20th
9:30 - 10:15 am
Ages 3 - 5 with an adult
Bring a stuffy or your favorite doll and meet a real nurse from Advocate Children’s Hospital! Learn about the tools doctors use to be sure you are healthy; then it’s your turn to be the doctor and use medical toys to give your stuffed patient a check-up. You will even receive a DR or RN hat to take home! Your grownup will learn how to find reliable online health information and community resources from Advocate’s Children’s Health Resource Center.
Program Admittance
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.
Baby Storytime -Tuesdays - February 4th, 11th, 25th
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 4, 11, 25
9:30am - 10:00am
Ages 6 to 24 months with an adult
Stories, songs and movement, supporting literacy development and learning in young children.
We will distribute admission tickets at the Youth Services Desk 15 minutes before the start of the program.
Toddler Storytime - February 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th, 26th, 27th
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 5, 6, 12, 13, 26, 27
9:30am - 10:00am
Ages 2 to 3 with an adult
Read books, sing songs and move around with your toddler while your preschooler is at school, to support early literacy and learning in a fun way!
We will distribute admission tickets at the Youth Services Desk 15 minutes before the start of the program.
Preschool Storytime - Wednesdays - February 5th, 12th, 26th
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 5, 12, 26
1:00 pm to 1:30pm
Ages 3 to 5
We'll share books, songs and activities, all to support early literacy and learning in a fun way! To promote independence, we encourage children to attend without adults.
We will distribute admission tickets at the Youth Services Desk 15 minutes before the start of the program.
Preschool Storytime - Thursdays - February 6th, 13th, 27th
Oak Lawn Public Library
9427 South Raymond Avenue
Oak Lawn, IL 60453
February 6, 13, 27
10:15 - 10:45 am
Ages 3 to 5
We'll share books, songs and activities, all to support early literacy and learning in a fun way! To promote independence, we encourage children to attend without adults.
We will distribute admission tickets at the Youth Services Desk 15 minutes before the start of the program.
Home Depot Kit Calendar
Visit Home Depot the first Saturday of each month between 9 am and 12 pm for a free in-person Kids Workshops.
*While supplies last.
Upcoming Webinars
Our Trip to Successful Toilet Training
February 25th
6:30-7:30 PM (virtual)
Toilet training can sometimes be a difficult task of knowing when your child is ready, especially when your child has a disability. When and how to begin the process and what tips and tricks would be helpful to know will also be discussed. In this one-hour training, you will be introduced to some ideas and strategies that will assist all children. Resources will also be shared. We welcome you to join us on "Our Trip to Successful Toilet Training."
Learner Objectives:
1. Identify the key factors of when to begin the process.
2. Discuss the different strategies.
3. Prepare a toilet training schedule.
HAGA CLIC AQUÍ para registrarse en español
Supporting Families - Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Assessment and Illinois Law
February 25th
7:00 PM via Zoom
You and your educational team have identified that your child may benefit from AAC, what is next? This family-centered workshop will discuss what to expect during the AAC assessment process and explain the law that protects access to AAC in the public school setting. Participants will discuss the steps to the feature - match assessment, strategies that you can employ while trying systems at home, and helpful definitions to know along the way.
Lullabies to Literacy - Raising a Reader
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
Quick Links
The Children's Museum in Oak Lawn
Our mission is to positively impact a child's potential in life through play-based education.
Oak Lawn Park District
The Oak Lawn Park District promotes a strong sense of community by providing leisure opportunities and the preservation of natural resources that enhances the quality of life and wellness for everyone.
Oak Lawn Public Library
The Oak Lawn Public Library serves as a cornerstone for the residents of the Village of Oak Lawn, providing access to information, technology, and services that engage, enrich, and strengthen the community.
SXU Birth to 3 Program
This program is designed to support families with children under the age of three and to promote their academic success.
Advocate Children's Hospital
Advocate Children’s Hospital is one of the largest network providers of pediatric services in Illinois. A major referral center for infants and children, our two main campuses in Oak Lawn and Park Ridge combine some of the country’s most respected medical talent with exceptional and compassionate care, making us a premier pediatric provider in the Midwest.
Community Resources
Wee Ones Wednesday
This play session runs from 8:30-9:30 am on Wednesday mornings. It is a special session just for children 3 years old and younger with their caregiver. Enjoy a relaxed time at the museum. Plan on visiting more than once? Become a member of the museum.
Sensory Friendly Play Session
This two hour low sensory play session is for families with children who would benefit from a more relaxed atmosphere in the museum. The reduced levels of noise and stimulation can help children feel more comfortable and at ease, allowing them to explore and interact with the exhibits at their own pace. These sessions provide opportunities for children to engage in play and social interaction in a way that is tailored to their sensory needs and preferences. We offer adaptive programming and sensory accommodations which are crucial for creating an inclusive and accessible environment for children with diverse sensory needs.
Oak Lawn Public Library Winter Newsletter
Check out the latest programs from the Oak Lawn Public Library for friends of all ages!
https://www.olpl.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/OLPL-Newsletter_WINTER-2024-25_WEB.pdf
708.952.7795