EDUCATOR OPEN HOUSE
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
7-9PM
HOFFMAN PLAYHOUSE
Invite your child’s teachers!

Therapists and Educators:
Together as a team - parents, educators and therapists - we are the best advocates to surround a child and we can learn from each other!

Come to GiGi’s Playhouse to learn about some of the ways a child with Down syndrome learns to read and hear about the educational and therapeutic programs we have to offer. We can support your efforts in your work with children with Down syndrome.
Email with questions or to RSVP:
hoffmanestates@gigisplayhouse.org

Hoffman Estates Fall Literacy Session
Registration paperwork for the fall session will be in the mail soon! The Fall Semester will start the week of September 13 and end the week of January 22 (December 19-January 1 off). Watch your mailbox – forms are due by August 25.

Amazing Tutor!

The Literacy Coordinator at the Hoffman Playhouse was about to make calls to families to let them know that they would be on a waiting list for the Literacy program because we did not have enough tutors…and then she received a call from Vinny!
A senior at Roosevelt University, Vinny is volunteering 72 hours this semester and is tutoring 12 students in our Literacy program!! He heads up the Community Involvement Board at Roosevelt, and his mission is to fund-raise for and get other students involved in volunteering with non-profits. As a requirement for his Child and Family Certificate, Vinny had to choose a non-profit that he would like to volunteer with. During his spring semester, he met Diane and Brett from the Playhouse who were part of a presentation about Down syndrome and GiGi’s Playhouse at Roosevelt. He loved the presentation and loved meeting Brett and decided to volunteer at the Playhouse.
Vinny loves tutoring. “Seeing the glow in their eyes when they read a new word or read an entire sentence really kicks! Seeing that light bulb turn on - really got me - I'm hooked and will continue to tutor in some capacity after graduation. It is so great to be a part of something, an important movement that started small, is growing and will continue to grow".
He feels that parents really enjoy literacy sessions and love having another perspective. They have often commented that they thought their child had it in them…and when they see the achievements made during Literacy, it is so encouraging! He enjoys the challenge of coming up with new and interesting ways of presenting material to his students.

WHO ARE THE CRAWLERS?

Cathy, a Physical Therapist, and Sue, a local gymnastics teacher lead this fun group.

Who should come? Kids who are not crawling yet, who are getting up on their hands and knees, commando crawling, not moving yet (preparing to crawl), and those just starting to stand and take first steps can all benefit from this program.

Cathy and Sue look at each component of what a child gets out of crawling physically. If a child is not crawling yet, they would work on the muscles that are not being used to help get the child crawling. They can help with muscle strengthening and development for kids who scoot rather than crawl, a child who is in the early stages of crawling, or a child who is just taking first steps.

Siblings are welcome, and encouraged to attend. Siblings can be great motivators for a child, and they participate in the program with their brother or sister, and are taught things to work on at home as well.

Most of our kids have their own Physical Therapist and this group is not intended to replace that, but provides a different set of eyes on their son or daughter. The focus may be on upper extremities with one child and the abdomen for another. Parents work with their child during the program under supervision, and are given ideas to try at home.

The program's goal - to give our kids the opportunity to always improve in a welcoming environment.

We are blessed to have wonderful volunteers like Cathy and Sue here at GiGi's Playhouse! Join the Crawlers group on the second Saturday of each month from 9-9:45am.

One of the great things about the Playhouse is the amazing people who make GiGi's feel like a big family. Christine is one of those people. She is part of our Friday Friends group, and a lot of fun! We asked Christine to tell us a little about herself.

I'm 32 years old. My birthday is December 27 so I get finished with Christmas and my family switches to birthday mode and I party for a couple of days. As soon as my birthday is over I start thinking about next year's birthday! I am an usher at a theater and have worked there for 8 years. I take tickets, tell customers which theater to go to, and enter information on the computer

One of my hobbies is sketching. I always have a sketch book and pencil with me wherever I go. I also like other arts and crafts. I play Quiddler (card game) and UNO all the time, and love playing my Wii, especially bowling, tennis and soccer. I'm always talking on the phone to my boyfriend, and having friends over for girls weekends. I belong to Evanston Athletic Club and I like Water Aerobics, Nia and Zumba classes. I just taught a Zumba class at the NDSC Convention in Sacramento!

I try to never miss Friday Friends! I get to see so many friends and meet new friends, too. I love Karaoke, Halloween Party, Laser Tag, the annual BBQ at Roberta's house, jamming on my guitar with Rick, all of our events - I can't pick a favorite!

My advice to Playhouse parents and students - study hard - teach children to read and do math! I had a great teacher when it was time for me to learn to read and math. I took extra classes to learn and went to NWSRA activities, I think I went every day when I was little; sports, piano and camp. Camp was important; I went to day camp and I also went to a week-long camp, it taught me a lot. Special Olympics helped me learn sports and how to travel without my parents. In junior high, I was on the Cross Country Team. My friends from all these things that I did when I was little are my best friends today, too.

One of our amazing Tutors!

Rita is one of our amazing Hoffman tutors who loves to help our kids improve their reading skills. She brings great experience to her role as a tutor – her granddaughter, Hayden, was our youngest student ever in the Literacy program! Hayden started when she was 2 years old!

Rita and her family had heard that from the time they are born, babies pick up language, and how important it is to read to your child from birth. The whole family read to Hayden, and when she was a little older, started playing matching games to prepare her for reading. Rita said Hayden loved it!

“We made a game of it – you have to keep a child motivated and make it fun, and then they want to read! It works with Hayden and it works with other kids that I tutor here at GiGi’s.” Rita recognizes that like anyone else, sometimes kids have an off day and are not in the mood for reading, but if the focus is having fun, both the child and parent can enjoy the time together. She said that the program requires a commitment from tutor, parent and child, but when those “ah ha” moments happen, it is worth the effort! When the kids are not in the mood, she sets it aside and will try again later.

Hayden is 3 1⁄2 now, and the whole family does everything possible to help her improve her skills. Rita loves to come to the Playhouse to tutor and work with other children, and she is able to carry that knowledge back home with her to help Hayden even more. Rita didn’t know anything about Down syndrome before Hayden was born, and said, “The Literacy program is just wonderful! When I tutor, the kids are no different than any other child – they are learning how to read, and like any other child, trying to function in this world. The Playhouse is a solid place with a Literacy Program that works!”

Kids Club went Flying High at Elk Grove Gymnastics School!

After stretching to warm up, Kids Club went flying....literally! The kids also enjoyed the trampoline and obstacle course, and watched Marc Janovics' fantastic rings routines!

L

iteracy Update - Kate loves a challenge!
Kate is constantly challenging her tutor for more material, and she is only 3 years old! She was working on the farm animal unit and correctly identified every single one! Her tutor is delighted with how fast she is learning and is looking more involved units for Kate all the time!


Literacy Update – Faith’s Skills Are Growing!
Faith’s tutor is so excited about her recent advancements in Literacy! Lauren says that Faith is making great strides tackling material that used to be a huge challenge, she is putting words together to read phrases! Lauren and Faith were a great team this semester!

ASSURANCE HELPS OUR MATH PROGRAM!
A wonderful team from Assurance came in to work on materials for our new math program! They spent the entire day - thank you so much!!

Thank you, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church!
We had a great group join us for Open Play. They donated craft project and played with kids. Some of the donated items were used during our 4th of July parade in Hoffman Estates!

Family Fun Night!
Bring the whole family on Friday, August 6! From 6:30-8:30pm, we have a blast together! RSVP to hoffmanestates@gigisplayhouse.org or call 847-885-7529 and let us know how many adults and how many kids will be attending.

Stop by the Playhouse any Thursday between 12:30-2pm for Open Play! Bring the entire family, get to know other parents and network.

Yoga at Family Fun Night!
Bring the whole family on Friday, August 6! From 6:30-8:30pm, we have a blast together! Yoga Kids will be joining us – a certified Yoga Kids instructor will teach us some basic poses, so kids – wear something comfortable and get ready to try some yoga poses! RSVP to hoffmanestates@gigisplayhouse.org or call 847-885-7529 and let us know how many adults and how many kids will be attending.

HSJ and PP TOGETHER!
We are combining forces for the summer! August 10 – we will all meet together from 12:30-1:30!

FRIDAY FRIENDS – ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

We showed the football team how to do karaoke in our house!

The football team has invited us to their house – their first football game of the season!

Friday, August 27 – we will meet at the high school and watch the game together!

Mark your calendar, and plan on a fun night at the game cheering on our friends from the team! Details coming soon.

Thank you, Olivia!
Olivia Niepsuj, a busy high school student, did an amazing job with fundraisers for the Playhouse! She managed a bake sale, a raffle and an event at Hot Wheels Roller Rink (who agreed to donate a percentage of their proceeds to the Playhouse as well) to raise money for GiGi’s! The Playhouse received cases of juice boxes to use for programs as well as donations from these events!

Roosevelt University visits Kids Club!
Kids Club and Roosevelt University students and professors had a blast together! We played spring bingo, had fun with charades, and did some decorating in the Playhouse together! We were also joined by Sandy, a therapy dog. The Roosevelt students stayed at the Playhouse to make Literacy materials for our students with Kathy, one of our amazing . Thanks so much to Roosevelt University for their continued support! And thank you to Sandy and her friend Karen – we are so glad you joined us!

THANK YOU, ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY!!
Students from Roosevelt University spent two days at the Hoffman Playhouse!
• They made 350 Literacy books! That is an amazing number and represents kids who learn to read!
• Cleaned the toys and ball pit!
• Had a great time (and many laughs) with charades and activities with Kids Club!
• Put together marketing materials!

We love the partnership that we have with the University and are so glad that they are part of the Playhouse family!

KARAOKE NIGHT WITH THE SAXONS!

Friday Friends invited the Schaumburg High School Football team for Karaoke Night - what a blast! Everyone had a great time, and the football team invited Friday Friends to watch them at a game this fall!

The Cookbooks are here!

$10 each - pick up your copies at the Hoffman Playhouse! Great recipes, lots of fun pictures, and info about the Playhouse and Down syndrome.

Friday Friends Jam Session
Friday Friends joined Rick Renner and friends for a great jam session! Everyone brought their instruments and we enjoyed great music and had a fun night together!

Kids Club has Talent Show
Our Talent Show was a huge success! Sarah showed the Schaumburg High School football team how we do karaoke, we had singing and dancing and keyboarding and a puppet show, to mention a few of the many talents! Everyone had a great time!

OPEN PLAY
Stop by the Playhouse any Thursday between 12:30-2pm for Open Play! Bring the entire family and meet other families, ask questions and share resources. The kids play together while parents talk and get to know each other. Dianne, who hosts Open Play with her son Brett, says “Open Play is a weekly, informal get-together for anyone who is involved in the Down syndrome community. We play, socialize, eat pizza and relax. I love having the chance to talk to other parents, get advice, and ask questions. I love also meeting other children with Down syndrome and being in a loving and accepting atmosphere. I remember how nervous I was the first time I came to Open Play, but it is so relaxed and welcoming that now Brett and I host! Kids are running around playing, grown-ups are cooing over babies and there is complete acceptance. “

WENDY’S NIGHTS
Thursday, June 24
Thursday, July 8
Thursday, July 22

4-8pm
Corner of Golf & Roselle Roads

The manager donates a percentage of the proceeds from the evening back to the Playhouse! Bring your family and friends for dinner at Wendy’s and help the Playhouse. No coupon needed.

Girl Scouts and Kids Club Sprung into Spring Together!
The Girl Scouts from Troop 1292 had a great time at Kids Club on Saturday!
“Our Girl Scouts (and moms!) enjoyed our visit to GiGi's this weekend! 15 Girl Scouts brought clay pots to decorate and filled each pot in with dirt and flowers! Many of the kids gave their pots to their moms. The kids loved it. We also played freeze dance - we saw some awesome moves - and we talked a little about ourselves. The kids had so much fun that we never even got to the smoothies that we were going to make. We needed more time! On our way home, the girls were telling me that they really enjoyed themselves and want to come back again. I think that maybe they didn't know what to expect - since most of them had never even met a person with Down syndrome before - but they were very surprised to see how much the kids were just like them - they liked to dance, talk, paint, dress up and just have fun meeting new friends! I really think that the Girl Scouts have a better understanding of Down syndrome now and will be able to tell others how much fun they had - thank you again!”

Kids Club – more than just fun!
Kids Club is all about fun – from gymnastics to a Kids Club has Talent Show to relay races and games in the park! They invite guests to join their program, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and a group of college students from Roosevelt University! They love having fun with all of their new friends, as well as the chance to spread positive awareness about Down syndrome with so many people.

In the midst of all of the fun, host Ellyn said that many of the activities are geared towards building self confidence and self expression. Self confidence increases with improving gross motor skills, fine motor skills, in talking/performing in front of others, sharing thoughts and ideas, making suggestions, socializing, and taking turns in a group. Ellyn feels that Kids Club has helped Sam’s confidence. She said that it has helped him feel more comfortable getting up in front of other people. He recently joined Special Gifts Theatre and Ellyn just saw him in a show!

Samuel’s mom said, “When we started going to GiGi’s, it was magic! Ellyn and Gary have been instrumental in his progress, they are engaging and innovative to keep the group so enthused. Kid Club has teenage volunteers and Samuel totally enjoys that and is modeling more as almost a teenager. I think he has become more verbal and entertaining because of these events. He just finished performing in "High School Musical" with the Special Gifts Theater. He had a great role and many lines. He had no fear of the audience. I attribute a lot of that to the times he has gotten up at GiGi's to do a dance or a song in front of others. He has become quite the ham!”

Hop, Skip & Jumpers and Playhouse Pals
in May we ready the interactive book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar! The children sampled all of the same foods the hungry caterpillar ate, minus the junk food that gave him a belly ache! The kids engaged in gross motor and fine motor caterpillar and butterfly activities! Playhouse Pals showed off their writing skills by writing and matching the days of the week to the food the hungry caterpillar ate!

Wonderful donations!
The Hoffman Playhouse received a donation of amazing art supplies for our kids! Dianne, President of the Hoffman Estates Board of Directors, and Brett checked out the great variety. We can't wait to try them out!