Bring out your ‘Best of All’ with our Purposeful Programs

What a magical two weeks of programming at GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo! The team and I are so excited to be back and celebrate the ‘Best of All’ in our program participants and your family!

As it is very exciting to be back “home” in our space to celebrate, I wanted to take the time to remind families the purpose behind our programs. Our programs are designed to be fun, but overall, there is a learning component not only for your loved one with Down syndrome, but their siblings, and you as their parents! Our goal at GiGi’s Playhouse is to install high expectations to achieve success and to do that we ask that you as the parents be a role model to take the skills and tools learned from our programs and apply them into your everyday lives. As individuals with Down syndrome are literal learners, we are not only filling their toolbox full of knowledge, but yours as well to help build and grow together through each milestone in their lives.

GiGi’s programs appear fun on the outside, but there are many components that are included in each program we offer. While I hold high expectations in my team and the volunteers to include each component into each lesson, we ask that you do the same.

Components include:

• speech & language development
• social development
• gross motor development
• fine motor development
• cognitive development
• affective development
• physical development
• attention development
• parent education
• family involvement
• academic support
• career/life skill development
• health & wellness

Playhouse Program Participant and Parent/Caregiver Expectations: 

• RSVP for each session you plan to attend at https://gigisplayhouse.org/fargo/sfcalendar/
  • This helps our team ensure we have enough volunteers to run the program
• If you RSVP and cannot attend, please email Morgan Aubol at programsfargo@gigisplayhouse.org or call the playhouse at 701-551-7529 and leave a voicemail
  • Staff and volunteers will check voicemail prior to the program starting, so it is important to contact the playhouse so they can be prepared or open another slot for a participant
  • Not all staff are present at each program, so it is important that you call the playhouse or email Morgan so she can pass along to the program leaders
• Parents or caregiver are required to be onsite unless your child is 18 years or older (legal adult).
  • Due to insurance and our Hold Harmless Agreement we need to follow this policy
• Parents, Caregivers and Siblings are required to participate and engage in the structured programming.
• Staff/volunteers will shut doors and leave lights off throughout the playhouse in rooms that are not going to be used for the beginning of the program. After the program, staff or volunteers will unlock and open doors and turn on the lights for open play at the end of the program.
• Programs start and end promptly at designated times via our calendar https://gigisplayhouse.org/fargo/sfcalendar/

Want to learn more? Check out our ‘Best of All’ books here: https://gigisplayhouse.org/fargo/best-of-all/

Together we are changing the way the world views Down syndrome and bringing out the ‘Best of All’ in our loved ones and ourselves.

It is so great to be back!

With Gratitude,

Heather Lorenzen
GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo
Executive Director