Programs
GiGiFIT Movement Tracker Helps Build Daily Wellness Habits
by Kim Hanna It’s a universal issue: most of us struggle to build fitness into our daily lives. In theory, it sounds easy, and it is…until life happens. We get busy, priorities shift, and tasks that were once daily routine get pushed to the back burner. As parents, we naturally want to instill healthy habits…
Read MoreGiGi’s Playhouse 1:1 Literacy Tutoring Program Pairs Perfectly with March National Reading Month!
Don’t you just love that phonemic alliteration!! Program Pairs Perfectly! Learning to read opens doors to inclusion in the classroom, workplace and community. We know that visuals are key when teaching individuals with Down syndrome, so it is not surprising that reading visual language is often a strength for our participants – especially when they…
Read MoreBest of All – Celine
“Celine thoroughly enjoys GiGi’s Kitchen Adult. During the COVID pandemic, GiGi’s was the bright spot in her week. In fact, at one point, she participated every week in TWO GiGi’s cooking classes from Hoffman Estates & Annapolis. She looked forward to seeing the same friends each week. Now, Celine has much better cooking skills than when she…
Read MoreGiGiFIT builds confidence & mobility in various stages of life
A step is all it takes to move forward, to feel free. That step, although it seems small, holds tremendous power, allowing individuals to pave their own paths and make their way around the world. Steps, however, do not come naturally for people with Down syndrome. In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine,…
Read MoreBarry Books and Cooks Inspiration at 60!
At 60 years of age, Barry Burris is the oldest participant at GiGi’s Playhouse in Fort Meyers, Florida. A few years ago, Barry decided to improve his literacy skills. He was a level two reader at the time and had not received any formal literacy instruction since high school. With help from GiGi’s Playhouse One-On-One…
Read MoreMake 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 started reading on her own!…
Read MoreNavigating 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 issues with engagement in remote…
Read More5 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 decision regarding virtual or in-person learning, these 5…
Read MoreNEW! 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 in Spanish. The educational programs…
Read More5 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 they can truly show you…
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