Handwriting Skills Progress at GiGi’s
1-25-16 Handwriting skills are important to develop at an early age Being able to communicate in print is a key component to academic success. Due to low tone, individuals with T21 have greater difficulty with handwriting and letter formation. GiGi’s began offering Little Fingers, Big Plans, using the popular Handwriting...
Reflections from the Playhouse
Hello GiGi’s Atlanta! Happy Holidays! As we reach the year's end, we reflect on our achievements and blessings over the past twelve months. At GiGi's Playhouse Atlanta, we have much to celebrate! We see it every day as kids strive for their "best of all" learning to crawl, walk, read,...
Our differences are really not so different after all!
I want to take the time to thank the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School for exposing their 5th graders to the world of Down Syndrome. They were engaged, asked great questions, and understood the importance of respect for one another and acceptance of people that are different then themselves. They also...
Kennedy’s First week of school!
Kennedy started Kindergarten. She turned 5 on July 28th and walked into her class on August 5th. We had a 3 hour IEP meeting that went extremely well. I think it went as well as it did because Karla, her other mom, worked so hard to make sure we had...
Summer Camp> a parent’s perspective
This week I have had the privilege of helping at the Summer Camp at Gigi's Playhouse. What an amazing experience Alita and Jennifer created for all the kids. Along with Fred, Gretchen, and countless others, careful planning was done to ensure all the campers were paired with a "Buddy" to...
A Morning with Intown Community School 5th grade class
It was wonderful speaking to youngsters who were attentive, interactive, and who were willing to help. We talked a lot about Down syndrome and what it means to individuals that have that extra chromosome and how they can help make our community a better place for people of all stripes....
Celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with our T21 Run Atlanta
Join us for our First ever 5k road race. This will be a Peachtree road race qualifier.. open to avid racers and to those who would like to have their voice heard and provide a positive community image. Run individually, run as team, run remotely, or stroll with the family...We...
Our kids make good citizens as well.
Just because we have a diagnosis does not mean that we can not make a difference in our community. We do not have to rely on volunteers and others to help us do things. We can accomplish a lot on our own and and we can be volunteers and help...
It’s new, it’s never been done in Atlanta!
GiGi's Playhouse Atlanta is having its first ever T21 Run on World Down syndrome Day, Saturday 3/21/15, 9am here at Piedmont Park and we want you, we need you. You can run, you can walk, you can line the raceway and cheer, but we need you to help show the...
We welcome our new parents and our new families!
We recently conducted a new parent/new family introduction to GiGi’s Playhouse this month. As we welcome new parents and their families we are grateful that you chose GiGi's Playhouse to help you navigate your new journey. It is always inspirational to recognize the love exhibited and have you tell your...
A parents open letter to their school regarding Down syndrome Awareness Month
We all can use the letter below as teaching opportunity within the community as the situation calls for! Happy fall safari parents I am reaching out to all of you in celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month. As you know, our daughter and your child's classmate, Kennedy, has an extra...
A heartwarming story from another Playhouse: My Uncle Mikey
We all have our heartwarming stories of acceptance, perseverance, and triumph. Here is one such story shared by another Playhouse, do you care to share your story? My Uncle Mikey… I struggle to think of the perfect way to start this as there are so many things I could say....