Design of the Livonia Early Childhood Center is based on home life for the District’s youngest learners; intended to make them feel like they are home away from home. Entries feature mud rooms for students to leave their belongings and “family rooms” where classes can gather for reading time, reinforcing a nurturing atmosphere to promote sensory comfort.
Distinguishing Factors. Sensory experiences drove the design of the Early Childhood Center. Thought was given to whole child development; attributes were intentionally chosen and did not come together by coincidence. Featured spaces include Family Rooms adjacent to classrooms, providing space to explore; Mudrooms for centralized student belonging storage and convenient drop-off and pickup by families; Mixing Bowl, a child-height experimental science kitchen; Gross Motor Room designed for movement and cooperative play.
Development of Self. Braille wallcovering is featured in family rooms; the tactility of the braille letterforms enhances the sensory experience for all students, not only promoting touch, but assisting in developing empathy and perspective-taking. Thirty embossed words representing ideals of human spirit are featured in the walls: independence, honesty, kindness, and friendship, among others.
