Amina Grace Speech and Language Program: The Clinicians’ Perspective I
The GiGi's Playhouse Amina Grace Speech and Language program provides children, youth, and adults with greatly expanded opportunities to evolve and refine their clarity of speech, word order, enunciation, and message meaning. These skills are paramount to fostering greater self-confidence, comprehension, problem-solving, school readiness, social skills, independence, and overall quality...
GiGi’s Playhouse Tutoring: The Process and Rewards
Guest post by Yamna Bukhari One of the most priceless services that GiGi’s Playhouse offers are its speech, math, and literacy tutoring programs. The 1:1 in-person tutoring services are tailored to each participant’s unique academic goals and needs. Thanks to so many wonderful volunteers, GiGi’s is able to provide tutoring...
Volunteer Spotlight: Carol Schindler
Interview by Aria Kim Carol Schindler is a devoted sister, aunt, artist, traveler, and retired nurse from NYC, now living in Metro Detroit. She is also a dedicated volunteer with Friends, Fun, & Fitness, LMNOP, Art Explosion, and special events. Carol’s proclivity to service started long ago and has taken...
Program Spotlight: Teen Tastic
What is Teen Tastic? I think we can all agree, being a teenager is tough! Those years between childhood and “adulting” can feel awkward and uncertain, with so many personal changes and an increasingly complicated world to navigate. It’s often difficult to find confidence in who we are and to...
Father’s Day Spotlight: Pat Craddock
Happy Father’s Day to the amazing DADS in our community! We are sending a heartfelt shout out to the new dads, experienced dads, granddads, dads-in-law, stepdads, like-a-dads, and especially all the dads of individuals with Down syndrome. We'd also like to take this opportunity to highlight one particular super dad...
Volunteer Spotlight: Laura Sundt
Laura began volunteering at GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit in the fall of 2021 and has been an enthusiastic, thoughtful, and dedicated addition to the GiGiFIT Toddler and Open Play programs ever since. She shows up weekly with the BEST energy, great ideas, and sometimes even fun new toys to support our...
Play is Purposeful!
Open Play at GiGi's Playhouse Detroit We've all heard "It takes a village to raise a child", well we've got your village right here at GiGi's Playhouse! Kids of all ages learn from play and interacting with their peers. Open Play is a fantastic opportunity to learn from friends important...
Program Spotlight: Kids Club
Our programs are “Session Based” meaning just like when you sign up for a soccer team or swim lessons, when you register for one of our programs we have you marked on our calendar for all the times we meet during that session. When the program coordinator and Ms Becca...
World Down Syndrome Day from the eyes of First Graders
“Why are we wearing crazy socks today for World Down Syndrome Day?” was the question posed to a group of 21, our lucky number, first graders. Several hands shot up but the girl who answered the question said, “So people with Down syndrome can know we’re celebrating them.” It was...
Program Spotlight: Playhouse Pals
This year we plan to feature one of our programs each month on the blog. We hope this helps you understand the background and focus of our various programs. February we are focusing on one of our school age programs, Playhouse Pals for 4-7 year olds. Playhouse Pals! What does...
Join us as a GiGi’s Detroit Playhouse Champion!
How have you been celebrating Down Syndrome Acceptance Month? There are so many ways to honor this month and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome. Here are just a few: Do you share facts and information about Down syndrome on your social media channels? Are you a blogger or do...
Join GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit to Celebrate Down Syndrome Acceptance Month!
GiGi’s Playhouse Detroit is hosting a road rally scavenger hunt to kick off Down Syndrome Acceptance Month, which is in October. Down for the Hunt takes place Sunday, October 3 from 1-3 PM, with an after party from 3-5 PM. Teams will compete against one another by driving around in cars to unlock clues, complete tasks and challenges, with the goal to...