Ryan’s “Best of All” 

It’s 9 am on a Saturday morning at GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit and 7-year-old Ryan is in his seat, ready for Leaps & Bounds to begin.  

This program, geared toward 4 – 7-year-olds and focused on school success, involves many routines, such as checking in, discussing the calendar and weather, transitioning to story-time, and moving through gross and fine motor activities. One of the many skills participants strengthen is turn-taking. It can be hard to wait for your friend to finish their turn, and also nerve-wracking to take your turn in front of a group.  

During check in, everyone waits in their seat, some more patiently than others, until they are called to participate by putting the date up on the calendar, or the day of the week, or the weather. Participants mark their attendance as ‘present’ by inserting their laminated picture into tiny pockets, which can be tricky to slide in the right spot. Laura, the program leader, always encourages the kids, saying things like, “Oops, try again” or “Almost-keep trying!”  

This last Leaps & Bounds, Ryan, who is usually quiet and cooperative, began cheering his friends on while they took their turns up at the calendar. He would say “good job” and clap when someone put their card in the right spot. If a student was having a hard time he’d say, “you can do it, try again!”  

It is a tremendous joy to witness and celebrate Ryan’s #BestOfAll, with his emotional attunement to others, positivity, self-expression, and social skills at such a young age. Ryan is already a wonderful friend and excellent student, and we are honored to watch him grow.