Make a difference and volunteer to be a tutor!
Want to make an impact? Consider being a volunteer tutor! You can clearly see Shelby has gained confidence and skills in just one session of literacy and math tutoring! “I cannot thank GiGi's enough for the tutoring! After 3 weeks of Literacy tutoring, Shelby just picked up books and...
Happiness and Down syndrome
Many people have the misperception that individuals with Down syndrome are always happy. I have a few thoughts about happiness and Down syndrome. First, if you think this, then you've probably never interacted with a hormonal teenager with Down syndrome. Jade, like most people, experiences a broad range of emotions,...
GiGi’s Playhouse: Reaching Around The Globe
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and all in-person programming had to be discontinued, we faced the challenge of how to fulfill our promise of a lifetime commitment to our families. So we thought big, and we developed an array of on-demand and live virtual programming, meeting families right where they...
Fearless Young Woman with Down Syndrome Plans to Wow White Sox Fans By Singing The National Anthem
Overcoming tough obstacles, GiGi Gianni inspires a network of playhouses that help others learn and achieve. Now she’s strutting her stuff for baseball fans. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 10, 2021 (Hoffman Estates, IL) – Prepare to be inspired when teen, GiGi Gianni, takes the microphone at Guaranteed Rate Park on Wednesday, September...
Sustainability against all odds
Whenever I read that quote, I get a flutter of excitement in my stomach and a sick feeling at that same time! Absence of fear?? It was the fear of watching 17 years of groundbreaking work crumble that propelled me to action throughout 2020 and catapulted us into 2021! When...
Navigating the Challenges of Virtual Learning
Every parent with a child in school understands the obstacles related to virtual learning - whether that child is in participating in school from home part of the week or full-time. After nearly a year of virtual schooling for some students, there are many questions about how to best address...
A Black Mother’s Journey with a Son with Down Syndrome
A Black Mother's Journey with a Son with Down Syndrome Meet Meeka Caldwell and her son, Anian. Meeka is a wife, mother, author, and dedicated advocate in the Down syndrome community. Anian is a curious 6 year old who loves people and loves to help others. He is a...
5 Back to School Tips Amid COVID-19 Spread
5 Back to School Tips Amid COVID-19 Spread Going back to school amid the COVID-19 spread is on the top of all our minds. For many families—whether children are heading to pre-K or high school—stress levels are high, and parents are struggling with the decision of what is best for their individual situation. No matter your...
Maevis’s Down Syndrome diagnosis
By Rose Busque It’s been about a year since we got confirmation on Maevis’s Down Syndrome diagnosis. It has me reflecting a lot. Let’s start from the beginning. We opted to not have the prenatal genetics test. We figured that if anything bad was happening we would see it in...
NEW! Spanish Programs for GiGi’s At Home
Spanish Programs now available for GiGi's At Home! At GiGi’s Playhouse, we see potential, ability, and possibility. So, when COVID-19 hit, strategies were sought and adjustments were quickly made to continue serving our participants virtually. We are happy to share that we recently launched GiGi's At Home on demand programming...
5 Ways to Nurture Learning in Children with Down syndrome
Check out these 5 ways to nurture a love of learning in children with Down syndrome. SPARK CURIOSITY Ask an open-ended question... then WAIT! Sometimes children with Down syndrome just need a little extra processing time. Interruptions or too many questions can be overwhelming. When you give them time to answer...
Down Syndrome in a COVID-19 World
Don’t high-five, don’t shake hands, don’t touch anything. Don’t travel, don’t leave the house unless you have to, and definitely don’t hug. We have all been bombarded with a list of do’s and don’ts during the COVID-19 pandemic. So it’s fairly common knowledge what we should and shouldn’t be doing...
