GiGi’s Playhouse Syracuse Literacy

Our Fall/Winter Literacy tutoring session has been running wonderfully with six fabulous volunteer tutors and seven eager students ranging from preschoolers to teens. The program is only sustainable with the support of our volunteers and families, and we are so grateful for their dedication to the success of the program. You rock!

GiGi’s Playhouse tutoring offers a very unique, free community program to learners with Down syndrome here in CNY. Whether it’s a jump-start to reading for our preschoolers and primary learners or a supplement for our school-agers, tweens, teens, and beyond, we realize how significant literacy skills are to the future inclusion and success of our learners. We set high expectations, and we believe in their potential.

The Literacy program follows a teaching method based on research specific to learners with Down syndrome, along with components of other research-based reading programs.  The learning materials are created by our literacy coordinators and volunteers, and instruction is individualized for each student to ensure success. Parent involvement is a key component of the program. We strive to equip parents/guardians with the resources and strategies to continue working with their child at home, and to foster a love of reading for years to come.

“I really think the literacy program is wonderful for the children. Jessica is already a reader but the tutoring sessions have really helped with her fluency and comprehension.” ~ Carolyn Mayer

“Addison enjoys her time with Kaitlyn. She has improved two levels! Now if we can ge her to do it sitting we may really be on to something ;)” ~  Allyson Donofrio

“Hayden enjoys coming to GiGi’s each week to participate in the Literacy program with his wonderful volunteer tutor Megan.  The Literacy program is not only enjoyable for Hayden, he is improving academically as well.   Hayden received high praise during his most recent parent teacher conference for his advancing skills and learning readiness.  We love GiGi’s and look forward to our son participating in more programs in the future.”~ Glenn MacIntosh

“As most of the members of our community know, our children receive many focused therapies that are designed to overcome delays that are inherent in Down syndrome.  Most of the organized effort from early intervention through the preschool years seems to be focused on the basics—overcoming physical delays, speech delays, and to a more limited degree, intellectual delays.  The literacy program that GiGi’s Playhouse has developed is a refreshing addition to the “basic” therapy repertoire.  Reading is such a fundamental skill for any person—from childhood to adulthood.  Having a resource available that has been developed to teach individuals with Down syndrome specifically is an amazing gift.  

Our 4-year-old daughter, Elise, absolutely loves going to the playhouse to spend time playing “matching” with her friend Angela (who generously volunteers her time).  From her perspective, learning to read is a game and Angela (with the support of the literacy team) continues to find new ways to challenge her while keeping it fun and interesting.  An added bonus for us, as parents, is the invaluable opportunity to chat, share experiences, and get to know other parents who are at the playhouse with their children—many who are years older than our daughter.  This program is an excellent example of the type of support that GiGi’s Playhouse brings to our community.” ~ Jen Bouchard

Our current session will run until mid-February, and then we will begin our Spring session in late March. We are thrilled to be able to offer this wonderful program to our community!

If you are interested in volunteering as a tutor, providing support for our tutors, or wish to register an individual for tutoring, please email Mary Carroll at literacysyracuse@gigisplayhouse.org or call 315-288-PLAY.