I do, we do, you do…

I do, we do, you do. This is a phrase I heard at our GiGi’s National Conference and it has stuck with me. I had zero experience with Down Syndrome when i started at GiGi’s Playhouse McHenry County. The children in my Kids Club group instantly won my heart and of course when they would struggle with an activity or a task, mom mode would kick in and I would want to swoop in and do it for them. This is the worst thing I could have done, when I thought I was “helping”. Individuals with Down Syndrome may learn a little differently and they may need extra help with some things but they can learn and they will do the things we do. A lot of people with Down syndrome are more visual learners. So rather than only verbally explaining the task, we must model it for them as often as we can. This means, yes, I sometimes look a little silly in the Playhouse skating around on “paper plate ice skates”, but the kids get much more out of that than me just telling them what they are being asked to do. Also, I have a no “I can’t” policy at Kids Club. When a child tells me they can’t, I remind them that they can and the proper term is “I may need help”. We all need help sometimes. Even all of us with no diagnosis! So I will do something, then we will do it together (and maybe multiple times) and then you will do it. I urge everyone to watch this video that GiGi’s Inc has put together. It’s an amazing tool for parents, loved ones, educators and really anyone! Don’t be fooled by the diagnosis. These individuals are capable! And don’t accept “I can’t!” The world has told these lovely people for far too long that they can’t. We all, including themselves, need to be telling them they can!! And we are here to help them! 💙

#generationG

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUK4JQN_uCM&feature=youtu.be