OU Institute of Child Development Lab Preschool

ICD Families, this looks like a fun day!

From daytime discovery to nighttime stargazing.

Join us on June 11 for Space Day | Sally's Night, a full day dedicated to astronomy, hands-on science, and exploring the universe together.

Space Day activities are included with admission 10am - 2pm.

Sally’s Night starts at 6:30pm and is FREE. Presented in partnership with the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution and made possible by Bank of Oklahoma.

We need to talk about Mrs. Tatter.

If you have been at the ICD for any length of time, you may already know her. Mrs. Tatter is our beloved center doll who has a habit of disappearing around the building — and reappearing when you least expect it. She is our reminder that even in the middle of the hardest days, we should never forget to have a little fun.

Today, Mrs. Tatter went missing.

Our entire staff was officially deputized to find her. She was found. And hidden again. And found again. Multiple times. The Case Log tells the whole story.

Every time someone found her, they discovered a little note she left behind — a reminder that this work matters, that they matter, and that it is okay to laugh at the chaos sometimes.

That is what Mrs. Tatter is all about. And honestly? It is what our team is all about too.
OU Education

We are so lucky to have a staff that finds the joy even on the hard days. 🧡

🚨 OPERATION: FIND THE EVIDENCE is underway. 🚨

Day Two of Teacher Appreciation Week and our staff had a mission today — hunt down hidden evidence capsules planted around the building. Every capsule found earned them extra minutes on their lunch break.

No clues. No map. Just instinct, determination, and a suspicious-looking item near the coffee maker. 👀

We are SO proud of this team. They work incredibly hard every single day caring for your little ones — and they deserve every extra minute of rest they earned today.

To our families: your children are in the best hands. These are people who show up not just because it is their job, but because they genuinely love what they do. It shows in everything they do.

Have you ever noticed something your child's teacher does that just makes you smile? Share it below — we are collecting love notes for them all week. 💚

OU Education

We were honored to welcome Dr. Stacy Reeder, Dean, to our campus for a very special day in the garden!

Together with our children, Dr. Reeder helped plant pumpkin seeds that will grow, change, and be cared for all year long. This hands‑on experience reminded us that learning—just like gardening—takes time, care, and community.

Thank you, Dr. Reeder, for joining us and for supporting experiential learning that helps young children grow strong roots and bright futures!
OU Education

🕵️‍♀️🔎 Teacher Appreciation Week at ICD: Monday Mission 🔎🕵️‍♂️

Teacher Appreciation Week officially kicked off today at ICD, and we started strong with a little mystery and a lot of gratitude!

This morning, our teachers were welcomed into Case #001 — a fun “investigation” to uncover who the world’s greatest teachers truly are (spoiler alert: it’s them!).

As teachers arrived at drop‑off, they received a special case file, setting the tone for a week full of appreciation, surprises, and smiles. This themed kickoff was our way of saying thank you for the dedication, care, patience, and love our teachers give our children every single day.

The children are counting on them.�The city is counting on them.�And yes — even the snack schedule is counting on them. 😉

We’re so excited to celebrate our incredible teachers all week long and appreciate our ICD families for helping us show them just how valued they are! 💙

Stay tuned… the investigation has officially begun! 🗂️✨
OU Education

Hands‑On Learning & Big Discoveries!

We had an incredible learning experience this week thanks to Elliot’s mom and her colleagues from the OGS! They visited our 3’s and Pre‑K classrooms to teach the children about the earth and rocks, bringing learning to life in the most exciting way.

The children were fascinated as they explored real samples, including volcanic rock and even petrified dinosaur p**p (also known as coprolite!)! Experiences like this help build curiosity, spark scientific thinking, grow vocabulary, and show children how what they learn connects to the real world.

At the same time, our infants were busy exploring nature through their senses, touching, observing, and experiencing the outdoors. These early nature interactions support brain development, encourage wonder, and help our youngest learners build a meaningful connection with the world around them.

We are so grateful for our families and community partners who share their time and knowledge. These experiences truly enrich our classrooms and inspire a love for learning at every age!
OU Education Oklahoma Geological Survey University of Oklahoma School of Geosciences

Congratulations NPS early learning and Mrs. Becca! Becca Goldman Waggoner

ICD Merch Is Here!

Show off your ICD pride with our new spirit wear! Whether it’s for school events, family outings, or everyday wear, there’s something for everyone

Order here:
👉 https://ouicd.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Deadline Alert:
All sizes and quantities must be ordered by April 28th. Orders placed after the deadline cannot be guaranteed.

Thank you for supporting ICD—we can’t wait to see everyone rocking their merch!

Little Artists at Work!

Our infants had such a joyful experience painting their very own shirts! Exploring colors, textures, and movement, they created one‑of‑a‑kind wearable art while strengthening sensory and fine motor skills.

Messy hands, big smiles, and lots of discovery made this activity extra special—and the shirts will be a sweet keepsake of this fun learning moment. We love celebrating creativity at every age!
OU Education

Practicum Students Shine!

A big THANK YOU to our integrated practicum students and Dr. Kwon for planning and leading such wonderful, engaging activities for the children! Their thoughtful documentation, creativity, and care truly enhanced our learning environment.

And let’s not forget the yummy snacks—the children enjoyed every bite! 😋 We are so grateful for the hard work, passion, and dedication these future educators brought to our classrooms.
OU Education