D123 Early Learning Center Celebrates Week of the Young Child and Continuous Progress

As you stroll through the halls of the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 Early Learning Center, you can’t help but notice the vibrant colors of student-created artwork, the bubbling laughter of children learning through play, and the beaming smiles of pure joy from students and staff full of curiosity, wonder, and pride. 

Over this past week, the ELC celebrated the Week of the Young Child, a dedicated time to recognize early learning, young children, and the adults who support them with hands-on art projects, cooking explorations, and more collaborative experiences. Each day represents new ways to build teamwork, celebrate families, and recognize staff members. 

District 123 is also taking this week-long celebration of early education to reflect on the progress of the ELC and the positive impact it has had on the community since welcoming its first class of 3, 4, and 5-year-olds last fall.

Check out this video from the Early Learning Center’s Ribbon Cutting ceremony in October 2024.

The Early Learning Center first opened its doors in August 2024 and has grown to serve 285 children. Although the young building is only in its 2nd year of operation, continuous progress has been made to offer more opportunities for creativity, development, and success.

“The team’s identity is firmly rooted in five core values that guide every interaction: Playfulness, relationships, belonging, empathy, and flexibility. Our progress is a testament to the hard work of the ELC team. It's not just a building; it's a vibrant, evolving community where the smallest learners are getting the strongest start.” — Erica Parus, Assistant Director of the Early Learning Center

The expanded playground now offers diverse ways to learn through movement and nature. New additions such as the play fire truck, ADA Omni Spinner, and musical instruments encourage physical and social play, while the reading nook, art easel, and student-tended garden foster creativity and connection to the environment.

Inside the building, the integration of specialized sensory tools recognizes each child's needs and prioritizes regulation and comfort. The addition of sensory marble walls, sequin feel boards, and tubes and tunnels provides students with the tactile and quiet spaces they need to self-regulate and return to learning ready to succeed.

"I just left the playground watching students dig for roly-polys as part of our insect unit of study, and I couldn’t help but smile seeing their excitement—asking questions, sharing what they know, and fully immersed in discovery. In our second spring together at the ELC, this is exactly what we’ve built: a truly extraordinary place where children feel joyful, included, and engaged in meaningful, high-quality learning. Our team is incredible, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead as we continue growing this vibrant learning community." — Christine Fuller, Director of the Early Learning Center

View the gallery below from the Week of the Young Child celebrations.